Let’s face it: There’s not going to be much to miss about 2020.

No doubt you (and every single one of your employees) breathed a sigh of relief as you hung a new 2021 calendar on the wall. In fact, experts have already stated that 2020 is likely to be the most difficult year most of us will ever face.

With that said, 2021 will continue to bring new challenges for employers and employees. In this post, we’ll dive into some HR trends we’re expecting to see this year — and what you can do to ensure your business is ready.

1. Home Is the New “Office”

Almost overnight, most companies had to make a dramatic shift to working remotely from home. This brought endless logistical challenges to employers who may never have considered the option before.

It also brought challenges to workers as they struggled to create a productive home office environment while balancing their family obligations. Stress levels and burnout are at an all-time high. And as the pandemic drags on, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

HR departments need to focus on helping employees find the right work-life balance while working remotely. Employers should be prepared to offer practical “holistic” support including self-care goals, mental health concerns, and financial advice.

2. Remote Employee Monitoring

Prior to the pandemic, fewer than one in five companies relied on employee monitoring software to track their employees’ performance. Since 2020, though, the demand for this type of software has exploded.

Of course, this raises many ethical concerns. Where do employers draw the line between “checking in” on their employees and violating their privacy? If an employer chooses to use such software, how can they ensure they’re in compliance with state and federal laws?

In 2021, we expect to see new laws and regulations about what employers legally can and cannot track.

3. Concerns About COVID-19 Vaccinations

As the long-awaited vaccines start to roll out, many employers are wondering if they should require their employees to be vaccinated before returning to work.

For the vast majority of businesses, this is a very bad idea. Until the vaccines are fully approved by the FDA, employers who impose such a requirement are practically begging for a lawsuit.

In fact, lawsuits over COVID-19 vaccinations are one of the biggest anticipated HR trends of 2021. Employers should do everything possible to ensure those who want to get vaccinated can do so. But passing a mandate in the current political climate would likely lead to a backlash.

4. Virtual HR Practices & Management

Other HR trends that have likely changed forever are the employee recruiting and onboarding process. Performance management, along with hiring and firing decisions, almost always took place in-person.

With remote work becoming the new norm, companies need to reconsider their current hiring procedures. Employers need to rely more on technology to communicate with their employees (and train their employees on how to use those technologies).

With the shift to digital, we also expect more small business owners to take advantage of outsourced HR and payroll services. PEOs offer convenient long-term administration services, freeing owners to focus on other important aspects of their business.

Keep an Eye Out for These 2021 HR Trends

The drastic changes we saw in 2020 will carry over into this year, so now is the time to prepare for these 2021 HR trends.

Continue to provide support for your remote employees while respecting their privacy. Stay up to date with the latest vaccine news and recommendations.

Finally, take some of the pressure off yourself by outsourcing as many HR tasks as possible. If you aren’t already using a PEO or payroll service, 2021 is the perfect year to get onboard.

Here at Intrepid Payroll, we provide HR, worker’s comp, and payroll services to employers in all 50 states. Give us a call at (877) 703-9033 or use our online contact form to find out more.