Unrelenting Political Upheaval Fails to Dent HR Professionals' Confidence: 73% Remain Optimistic About Guiding Through Chaos
Headline: Whiplash from Washington's Policies? Three-Quarters of HR Leaders Remain Confident, According to The Conference Board's Latest Survey
Subhead: Amidst Tariff Turmoil, Immigration Challenges, and Layoffs, HR Chiefs Navigate Change with Adaptability and Confidence
The White House's recent policy changes have rattled corporate America, causing a wave of uncertainty at workplaces throughout the nation. Yet, according to a new survey by The Conference Board, a staggering 73% of HR leaders remain confident in their ability to steer their organizations through today's tumultuous political, social, and regulatory landscapes.
Despite the overwhelming confidence, 35% of HR leaders foresee these policies harming their workforce. Nevertheless, a mere 5% expect the Administration's policies to have a positive impact. This gloomy prediction might be a consequence of the seismic shifts in labor and skills shortages that the new policy agenda could exacerbate.
"In the face of immense uncertainty, the adaptability HR chiefs have gained while navigating the pandemic and other recent economic and social shocks allows them and their organizations to weather the political storm," said Robin Erickson, PhD, Head of Human Capital Research at The Conference Board.
The survey, conducted from March 7 through April 7, included insights from 170 US human resource executives and 530 US workers. This report marks the seventh installment in The Conference Board's "Reimagined Workplace" series. Among the findings:
- Cost-Cutting Measures: As economic headwinds loom, 41% of companies have already implemented layoffs – a 11-point increase from 2024. Interestingly, organizations that anticipate a positive impact from the Administration's policies are still implementing cost-saving measures.
- On-Site Work: Despite the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements, 57% of organizations have made hybrid the primary workplace model, with on-site work (32%) and remote work (12%) both seeing a decline from 2024 levels. Still, 56% of companies maintain mandated on-site policies, which can hinder worker retention (44% for such organizations compared to 34% for those without such mandates).
- Workforce Turbulence: The survey found that 62% of HR leaders now report difficulty finding qualified professional and office workers, while the challenge of retaining these workers is easing. Meanwhile, difficulty keeping industry and manual service workers is on the rise.
- Employee Experience: Despite the current volatility, workers are generally positive about their employee experience, reporting high engagement, intent to stay, and a sense of belonging. However, there is a significant disconnect between leaders' and employees' perceptions of the employee experience, particularly regarding well-being.
"The disconnect between HR leaders and employees in their understanding of well-being is concerning. Regular, candid worker feedback can help ensure that efforts to improve the workplace culture and performance are both relevant and effective," said Diana Scott, Human Capital Center Leader at The Conference Board.
For more information on The Conference Board, their upcoming reports, or to access the full findings of this survey, visit www.ConferenceBoard.org.
About The Conference BoardThe Conference Board is a member-driven think tank dedicated to delivering Trusted Insights for What's AheadTM. Founded in 1916, they are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States.
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Source: The Conference Board
Author: Cision PR Newswire
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- A cloud of uncertainty looms over the business sector due to recent political developments, but news of a survey reveals that 73% of HR leaders remain confident that they can manage their organizations' performance amidst the turmoil.
- As 35% of HR leaders anticipate negative effects of these policies on their workforce, the cloud of finance-related concerns grows, with only 5% seeing a positive impact.
- In the midst of the turbulence in politics, social issues, and regulatory changes, the general news showcases the adaptability of HR leaders, who continue to steer their companies through the challenging landscapes.
