HR leaders are under immense pressure to juggle the demands of their role with the needs of their business against a backdrop of some of the greatest challenges of their career. According to research from professional services firm, EY, challenges include the need for HR leaders to demonstrate the financial impact of the HR function and the need to become a trusted senior advisor within their organisation.
But the pressure to develop a digital workplace is proving the greatest challenge, with the majority (70 per cent) of the 2,500-plus HR leaders polled for EY’s HR under pressure survey having felt an increased need to up their game in applying both HR technology and analytic skills to their role in the past three years.
HR leaders vs. other leaders on key challenges
But just 16 per cent of respondents to the survey feel prepared for a digital workplace, which compares with 37 per cent of all leaders, who feel very prepared. This is perhaps unsurprising given the pressures currently facing HR leaders.