One of the most important things in 2023 will be how to support employees in the face of the recession while avoiding burnout. This is why setting up and communicating strict priorities will be essential in the new year. Also, making sure that business goals are broken down into department and team goals so that the HR Team knows what is expected of them.

Given the financial outlook, it is expected to see a bigger focus on productivity within an organisation, not just for company and team productivity but for individual performance and engagement.

You might need to ask yourself: Where can we work faster and smarter? Perhaps meeting-free days, a centralised HR ticketing system or an accessible employee resource centre for frequently asked questions would help. That could save a lot of time on both the HR and employee sides.

Try to understand trends within your own HR department and work with finance to look at revenue and costs to see where they feel there’s an opportunity. For example, you can take a closer look at the cost per hire, incentive plan structure or headcount and draw insights from them.

During times of uncertainty, employee engagement can decline. One way to boost it is to be transparent. Talk with leaders about how your teams are doing and engage in regular and open exchanges with employees. Use data and facts to build a deeper understanding of business performance and outlook so that every employee is informed.

Reach out to other HR professionals who have been through similar economic downturns and learn how best to steer your organisation through it. Now that we are in a world where we can be together, build a network you can connect with. 

Of course, the Personio Community is a great place to start - the HR Think Tank Area is your place for questions & discussions about all things HR. Do you want to share some thoughts about a topic or see what others think? Start a discussion now!