Some of the biggest challenges facing employers right now include retaining top talent , meeting salary and pay rise expectations and providing a good work / life balance for employees , according to new research .

LIKE IT OR NOT , THE WORLD OF WORK IS CHANGING . EMPLOYERS NEED TO STEP UP AND INVEST IN THEIR PEOPLE

IF THEY WANT TO HIRE THE BEST TALENT

AND THEN RETAIN THEM .

R SOFTWARE PROVIDER ,

Ciphr , commissioned a survey of 300 UK HR decisionmakers to find out which workplace challenges , if any , were causing their organisations the biggest headaches in 2024 .

Based on the results of this research , most UK businesses appear to be grappling with a multitude of internal and external economic pressures . Answering on behalf of their organisation , survey respondents each identified an average of 11 different workplace challenges or HR pain points . Any one of which could , potentially , hinder their operational success over the coming year .

Retaining employees and keeping skilled workers onboard ( helping organisations curb costly high turnover rates and lost productivity ) topped the poll of biggest challenges . Over half ( 51 %) of HR survey respondents reported retention as their top worry for the year ahead .

Over two-fifths ( 46 %) of employers also expressed concerns about their organisation ’ s capacity to meet employees ’ expectations around wages , work / life balance and mental health and wellbeing support .

Satisfying staff ’ s remote or hybrid working expectations emerged as another key challenge ( for 45 % of respondents ).

Other chief concerns were revealed to be recruiting enough qualified candidates and maintaining an engaged workforce ( both 45 %). Followed by providing a good employee experience , promoting talent from within to fill skills gaps , reducing absenteeism caused by work-related stress and ensuring a positive workplace culture ( all coming in at 41 %).

The top 10 challenges facing UK employers in 2024 :

• Retaining employees / keeping top talent ( cited by 51 % of surveyed HR professionals )

• Meeting employees ’ pay expectations ( 46 %)

• Providing a good work / life balance for employees ( 46 %)

• Supporting employees ’ mental health and wellbeing at work ( 46 %)

• Meeting employees ’ remote or hybrid working expectations ( 45 %)

• Recruiting enough qualified talent ( 45 %)

• Maintaining an engaged workforce ( 45 %)

• Providing a good employee experience ( 42 %)

• Promoting talent from within to fill skills gaps ( 42 %)

• Reducing absenteeism caused by workrelated stress ( 41 %)

• Ensuring a positive workplace culture ( 41 %)

Common challenges ( or opportunities , depending on your outlook ) that narrowly missed inclusion in the top 10 included providing regular and ongoing employee training and development and encouraging employees to attend the ( physical ) workplace more often or a specific number of times a week , for example . The latter appears to be slightly more of an issue ( 43 % vs 38 %) for smaller organisations ( with less than 50 employees ) than their larger counterparts ( with more than 250 employees ).

Claire Williams , Chief People and Operations Officer at Ciphr , highlights the necessity for organisations to recognise that their people are their greatest asset . And that their business success is contingent on continued investment in their employees .

Williams said : “ Like it or not , the world of work is changing . Employers need to step up and

18 intelligent

. tech

Intelligent SME . tech