Improving Staff Retention is Top 2008 Resolution for UK HR Managers

Retaining the talent within organisations is the number one challenge for senior Human Resources (HR) managers in 2008, according to a survey by Taleo, the leading provider of on demand talent management solutions. The findings echo the trends of a similar survey conducted in 2007.

The survey, ëHR Challenges in 2008í, asked more than 200 senior HR managers in the United Kingdom (UK) about their biggest challenges in the coming 12 months, what tools they need to help optimise HR performance, and their HR budget expectations.

Survey findings indicate that recruiting and hiring are top-of-mind with UK HR managers this year. When asked to select their top HR challenge going into 2008, the following trends emerged:

Keeping it in the company ñ 30% cite ìemployee retentionî as their top challenge for 2008.

Recruiting the right staff ñ 23% cite ìhiring the best talent in the marketplace.î

Attracting candidates ñ 11% cite ìattracting candidates to the organisation.î

Keeping it legal ñ 11% cite ìcomplying with new legislation.î

Additional challenges listed include: succession planning (10%); career development management (5%); cutting recruitment costs (4%); gaining boardroom support for HR (4%); and increasing the internal mobility of staff (2%).

When asked about tools and budgets for 2008, the top responses indicated:

Performance Management tools are key ñ Nearly half of respondents (44%) say ìa system to improve performance management, succession and career planning in your organisationî will help them do their jobs better. Additionally 21% want ìan easy way to measure the effectiveness of HR processes like recruitment,î followed by 15% seeking ìbetter visibility into employeeís skills.î Additional responses include: reduced dependency on recruitment agencies (8%); systems that aid compliance with regulations (8%); and a system to improve the effectiveness of the recruitment process (4%).

In the money ñ The majority of respondents expect their budgets to remain the same (46%) or increase (33%) in 2008. Only a small percentage of respondents (21%) expect their budgets to decrease in the coming year.

ìHR is experiencing sustained pressure to recruit and retain the best people in a market where employees are increasingly calling the shots. In response, Boards are increasing HR budgets and HR executives are looking for technology solutions to help them solve their recruiting and retention challenges,î said Neil Hudspith, SVP, International, for Taleo. ìBy taking a unified approach to our recruitment and performance management solutions, Taleo greatly enhances an organizationís ability to recruit and manage talent across multiple business units, organizations, geographies and talent types.î