From shifting talent acquisition practices to the pitfalls of unlimited PTO, 2024 has been a transformative year for HR leaders. Here is a collection of our top 10 articles from this year, highlighting the most pressing issues and innovative strategies for HR leaders. Join us as we explore the trends, cautionary tales, and actionable solutions that shaped the HR landscape this year.
10. CompTIA Unveils Skills-Based Hiring as the Future of Work
In May of this year, CompTIA released a survey detailing notable shifts in today’s working landscape. With hiring moving away from requiring traditional credentials to prioritizing skills, HR leaders may have to start changing not only how they approach recruitment but also development and retention. Click the link to read more about CompTIA’s findings on the future of work.
9. The Reality of Unlimited PTO: A Double-Edged Sword for HR
This is one of the newer top trends among companies as it allows them to save costs on unused vacation days, which typically cost the U.S. between $224 billion and $318 billion each year. However, implementing unlimited PTO isn’t as easy as one might think. Read our article to learn why employees with unlimited PTO take fewer vacation days than those with traditional PTO.
8. Stirring the Pot: Lessons in Workplace Retaliation from Chipotle
When employees speak up about unfair work conditions, retaliating against them only makes the situation worse. Chipotle learned this lesson the hard way as it faced a $2.9 million settlement to resolve allegations of workplace retaliation in its Seattle locations. Read more about this case from Chipotle to understand where they went wrong and how to prevent it from occurring within your own company.
7. ‘Tis the Season to Dodge Holiday Burnout
Burnout doesn’t disappear during the holidays—sometimes it gets worse. With 61% of workers feeling stressed from the holidays and 65% working on their days off, the season’s workload brings anything but holiday cheer. Check out these strategies to give your employees the gift of a balanced workforce by managing end-of-year projects without causing burnout.
6. Amazon’s $35M Fine: A Cautionary Tale of Employee Surveillance and the Quest for Balance
With the rise in remote work came the concern for dropping productivity levels as employees are now prioritizing flexible work models. To mitigate this risk, employers have been investing more in employee software—but how much is too much? Earlier this year, Amazon was fined €32 million (approximately $35 million) for its “excessively intrusive system” used for tracking employee productivity. Discover where Amazon went wrong and how your company can avoid making the same mistakes.
5. Q&A Spotlight: Create Innovative and Inclusive Workplaces with AMA
From the trusted partner for Fortune 500 comes a Q&A feature with Barbara Zung, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer from the American Management Association (AMA), a global authority in professional development. Zung offers insightful perspectives into mitigating bias, equitable work policies, and inclusive management styles that any HR leader can benefit from practicing within their own team.
4. CHROs, Are You Ready for the Next Layoff Crisis?
2024 saw continued layoffs across big-name corporations. Now 70% of workers are bracing for cuts, and HR teams are pushed to manage layoffs from the frontlines. One wrong move could put the company’s reputation at stake. Explore a few strategies for CHROs to enforce downsizing that protect the company’s reputation while mitigating as much harm as possible for the affected employees.
3. Q&A Series with Dr. Glass (Part 1 and Part 2)
In this compelling Q&A series, Dr. Jennifer Glass explores the hidden cognitive biases shaping workplace dynamics and the challenges of return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Learn different strategies for fostering inclusive leadership and promoting practices that support equity in your company. Dr. Glass offers valuable and actionable advice for the modern HR leader.
2. Culture on the Brink? HR’s Guide to Navigating Transformation
Culture is king, and it takes a solid strategy to keep it intact during an era of transformation. Without successful practices, a company’s retention, productivity, and long-term success are sure to be affected. In this article, HR leaders can discover strategies from industry leaders on embedding core values, fostering transparency, and championing innovation.
1. Level Up Your Talent Pool With Tuition Reimbursement
In the number one spot is our article on offering tuition reimbursement—providing insights on one of the trends that companies are using to stand out amongst top talent. With 52% of employees ranking educational assistance programs as important, it’s not a benefit that should be overlooked. Dive into the competitive advantage of tuition reimbursement.
Future-Proofing HR
As the HR landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adapting to trends is key to successfully navigating these challenges. We hope these top 10 articles equip you with the insights and strategies needed to foster a more resilient, innovative, and employee-centered workplace in 2025 and beyond.
