Best of 2021: Our most-read posts and topics of the year

The way we work continues to change. Google Trends reported searches for “how to heal” reached an all-time high in 2021 as we all look for ways to come back stronger. The world of work has continued to adapt as organizations invest in digital transformation and creating a borderless workplace.

It’s important to reflect before moving forward in the new year. In the past two years, HR has played a strategic role in the employee experience and ensuring business continuity for their organization. These were the most popular topics on the Ceridian blog in 2021 as HR leaders looked for new ways to better optimize global pay, improve the employee experience, and build a more resilient workforce.

Retention rates across the board

One of the biggest media stories of 2021 was The Great Resignation – record rates of employee separations that made for a competitive labor market. This had HR leaders searching for answers on how to improve retention key performance indicators (KPIs). Our post on benchmarking for turnover and retention rates proved popular as leaders sought ways to make better decisions on how to update their retention strategy.

Winning the war on talent

As people reconsidered their career paths and changed organisations or industries, hiring went to the top of HR leaders’ priority lists. Organisations needed adaptable talent acquisition strategies that met both the needs of the business and their workforce.

And hiring was just the start of what readers were drawn to because of the changing work world. Talent management became increasingly important for teams working remotely, including managing international teams.

Leading teams through stressful periods wasn’t always easy. Managers looked for tips to handle negative attitudes and improve wellbeing. Work environments with happy employees have better engagement and productivity, which leads to better retention and business continuity.

Onboarding that clicks from the start

As much as 20% of turnover occurs within the first 45 days. As businesses continue to face change, leaders were hyper focused on the impact of good and bad onboarding practices.

Set employees up for success from the start, whether they are new hires or transitioning to new roles within the organization. We had ten new employee onboarding ideas to strengthen engagement, productivity, and retention, especially in a virtual workplace.

Finding the right hybrid model

After a year of working remote, many people pushed back against a permanent return to the office. Disruptions over the last year empowered many organisations to create new work models, but there was no clear consensus on the most efficient and collaborative system. Hybrid work challenges will continue into the new year as organizations work to create the best experience for their people.

Paying employees in a borderless workplace

The pandemic has only amplified the challenges global organisations face when paying their people across regions. A single, cloud-based solution became imperative to address compliance complexities and increase visibility into payroll data so that leaders could make more informed decisions.

Payroll can affect an organization’s cash flow, risk profile, and overall employee engagement. Organisations sought out new ways to automate complex processes to simplify and save time on payroll, with value-generating activities in mind.

Boosting financial wellness in times of stress

Organizational resilience is key in times of economic uncertainty. Financial stress was at an all time high, and this instability impacts employees’ health and productivity. Organisations began including financial wellness as part of their employee value proposition to help retain the best talent and get the best work out of their people.

The employee experience is everything

People were looking for a more holistic way to work in a time of uncertainty. With record numbers of people quitting their jobs in search of higher pay and better conditions, change is now necessary for creating a modern employee experience for the new world of work.

The skills required to succeed in the future have changed, along with everything else. Organisations leveraged new workplace learning trends to retrain and develop their employees for the skills they need to transition into different roles.

Diversity and inclusion as a core value

Organisations have an opportunity to remake their workplace conditions around a culture of care and seriously address lingering workforce inequalities. Leaders looked to break down barriers and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Learn about six tactics for making organizational change last.

Social responsibility for the future

Corporate social responsibility isn’t a new trend, but it has naturally broadened its scope into environmental, social, and governance. Organisations are examining all aspects of their footprint and how they impact the communities around them. Leaders were exploring new ways to build their CSR and ESG strategies to craft stronger brand awareness, involve employees, and build toward a better future.