NEWS ROUNDUP
HR Trends Survey
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onducted by HRNZ’s Academic Branch, the inaugural HR Trends Survey was conducted for the first time in quarter 4, 2021. This survey will be carried out annually to provide a longitudinal study of HR issues and trends in Aotearoa, New Zealand. With input from 178 respondents located across the country, representing businesses (60 per cent), the public sector (25 per cent) and not-for-profit organisations (15 per cent), this first survey has given an excellent insight into the matters front of mind for HR professionals in 2021.
Workforce recruitment and retention were among the highest issues for HRNZ members in 2021, with employee wellbeing, management development and workforce training also featuring highly. Related to this, respondents shared the growing emphasis on ‘resiliency and ability to adapt, operate in a changing environment’ and on managers having ‘soft skills – adapting to the workforce of today, dealing with issues and having the important conversations be they positive or negative’.
These insights provide a great starting point for conversations with senior leaders within the organisations we serve, as the profession continues to move away from its traditional role as compliance and process managers to people enablers and organisation developers. The full survey results can be downloaded here.
Consultation begins on income insurance scheme
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he government, Business NZ and New Zealand Council of Trade Unions announced a proposal in February of a New Zealand income insurance scheme, to help support New Zealanders who are made redundant or have to stop working because of a health condition or disability. The proposed scheme will support workers with 80 per cent of their income for up to seven months if they lose their job through no fault of their own. Like ACC for accidents, the scheme would be funded by levies on wages and salaries, with both workers and employers contributing.
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HUMAN RESOURCES
AUTUMN 2022
It is estimated the levy would be 1.39 per cent each for workers and employers. Administered by ACC, broad coverage would be available for different working arrangements and would include an option to extend support for up to 12 months for training and rehabilitation. A consultation process has started, because the government, BusinessNZ and New Zealand Council of Trade Unions are keen to hear from businesses, workers and the self-employed on these proposals. Submissions close on 26 April 2022.
For more information, or to make a submission, go to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website.
