We’ve reached the end of Season 6 and we’ve almost reached the end of the year! 

Rob Moss, the Editor of Personnel Today returns to give his HR review of the year.  Among other topics, we talk about quiet quitting, industrial action, working from home and the 4 day working week.

What have been the big HR stories this year? [02:07]
Political upheaval in the UK during 2022 has in Rob's opinion made for a quiet year for the HR sector with a very few developments in the world of work.

Is Quiet Quitting the HR term of the year? [04:22]
Rob isn't keen on the term and explains that people not working hard has always been an issue and is essentially a by-product of poor employee engagement.

How important is the cost of living crisis for HR? [07:40]
Rob considers the cost of living crisis of huge importance to HR and is intertwined with the current amount of industrial action in the UK where pay has become the major issue.

Are we approaching a 'General Strike' in the UK? [10:42]
Rob considers recent UK Government to restrict certain sectors of having the ability to withdraw their labour could indeed encourage Trade Unions to more closely co-ordinate their individual actions resulting in a general strike in the UK public sector.

Is there anything left to be said about hybrid / working from home? [15:36]
Rob agrees that the hybrid / working from home debate is largely focused on organisations in London and the South East of the country. Rob also considers the lack of available talent in the UK as a driver for employees to demand more flexible working practices. Rob though cautions that there may well be long-term consequences for workers being based remotely particularly around learning and career development for new employees.

Cancelled Christmas parties a relief for HR? [24:46]
Despite the fact that that industrial action by UK train drivers has led to the cancellation of some company Christmas parties, we joke that this might come as welcome relief to the HR community given what historically work's Christmas parties famous for!

What does Rob hope for the world of HR in 2023? [25:24]
Rob hopes that the lack of available talent in the UK will see fewer redundancies being made than is normal during a recession and that HR professionals will be looking at re-skilling or up-skilling workers instead of letting people go.

Resources:
https://www.personneltoday.com/