HR news this week: The changing workforce

In this week’s roundup, people are discussing the future of work. Is the CV a thing of the past? What impacts do geopolitics have on the workforce? And are women disadvantaged by remote working?

End of the CV

HR Leader came across an article from Management Today this week that argues that the CV will become a thing of the past in 2023.

Management Today said that due to a tight talent market, employers are scrambling to attract and retain talent, ditching CVs and job descriptions in the process and relying on “skills, experience, and proven ability”.

According to evidence referenced in Management Today’s article, more than half of recruiters are supportive of ditching CVs as they believe they are restrictive.

With traditional hiring ideas shifting in recent years due to the impact of the pandemic, 2023 may see a slowdown in the use of CVs.

40 ways to innovate hiring

Harvard Business Review published suggestions to help “shake up your hiring process” on 16 January. These tips aim to assist organisations in standing out from the crowd amid talent shortages.

Some of their tips were:

• Offer paid internships.
• Lower the requirements for the role.
• Utilise hiring tech, such as AI.
• Partner with educational and community institutions.
• Embrace social media.
• Offer better incentives, benefits, bonuses, etc.
• Increase flexibility.
• Provide development opportunities.
• Put time and effort into creating a good work culture.

How geopolitics will affect businesses in 2023

As featured in Human Times’ 16 January bulletin, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), risk experts predict that 2023 will bring continued geopolitical confusion that will impact businesses across the world.

With the Russia-Ukraine war, and tensions between the US and China impacting various industries, WSJ says that risk professionals rank geoeconomic confrontation in the top three ‘perceived risks’ over the next two years.

Head of geopolitical thought leadership at S&P Global Market Intelligence Lindsay Newman said: “Where geopolitics would have been reserved for dinner-party conversation or a cocktail-party conversation, clients are coming to us and saying, ‘We need a geopolitical risk management function’.”

“The post-Cold War era is clearly over, and there are major powers out there looking to shape the future … We see more volatility ahead rather than less,” said Dr Newman.

Organisations may benefit by taking the time and effort to prepare a geopolitical risk assessment, to better handle the implications of international conflicts.

Are men benefitting from remote work more than women?

On 16 January The Guardian noted that women may not be benefiting from remote working like men are.

Author of The Guardian’s article, Amy Bach, argues that the ‘Zoom revolution’ has benefited men more than women, as occupations that allow for remote working are found in male-dominated industries.

Jobs in childcare, healthcare, aged care, and teaching, which are female-dominated industries, are generally unable to offer flexible working arrangements.

Ms Bach poses the question: “Is job sharing the next frontier?”

She continued: “Planned well, with the right match of people and division of responsibilities, workplaces may well find themselves getting two minds for the price of one, not to mention a healthy dose of loyalty and goodwill from both employees.

“It’s time to expand our thinking beyond this dominant but ill-informed narrative and push forward on solutions such as job sharing as the next revolution in workplace flexibility,” said Ms Bach.