HR News Shaping 2025

Discover the HR trends and decisions that will influence the industry in 2025. Why AI isn’t always a good choice, why DEIB initiatives no longer exist, and which HR developments still need to be considered in 2025? Here’s a roundup of key developments you need to know.

Breaking HR News In 2024

AI-Driven Recruitment

For sure, AI is the first in the list of the latest trends in HR. AI tools are making recruitment faster and smarter. Chatbots now answer candidate questions and assist with onboarding, while predictive analytics helps companies identify hiring trends and improve retention strategies.

However, this year showed AI can be biased! LinkedIn found its AI-based job recommendations were favoring men for higher-paying roles, due to gender biases in the data used for training. To fix this, they updated their algorithms, added fairness measures, and shared more details about how their system works.

This example shows the importance of reviewing AI regularly, using diverse data, and tracking biases. This is especially critical in areas like hiring where fairness is key.

Diversity and Inclusion (and Equity?) Initiatives

Companies are increasingly integrating diversity and inclusion into recruitment strategies. This focus of HR trends aligns with demographic changes and societal expectations, making diverse hiring a strategic advantage​.

However, this year the Society for Human Resource Management, a leading HR organization, announced it is dropping the acronym “IE&D” (Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity) and will now use “I&D” (Inclusion and Diversity) instead.

This reflects a growing backlash against DEI programs in the U.S., fueled by conservative criticism and political pledges like Donald Trump’s vow to eliminate DEI. Companies like Best Buy and Johnson & Johnson have also scaled back DEI efforts amid activist pressure. SHRM’s decision sparked a backlash among HR professionals, with its LinkedIn announcement drawing nearly 1000 comments, mostly criticizing.

Nation-Specific Innovations

Australia

Trends in HR also change the public sector. The Australian government has expanded its migration program. This enables businesses to recruit internationally to address talent shortages. This policy change is set to influence global recruitment trends significantly​.

Belgium

As part of the Federal Government's new Labor Deal, Belgium’s private sector employees have had the option to work four days a week instead of five since. Such work format has been among the new trends in human resources for several years. Full-time employees now complete their regular hours in four days rather than spreading them over five. This change aims to improve work-life balance and productivity for workers across the country.

European Union

Initiatives to address skill shortages include funding upskilling programs across member states to ensure a steady pipeline of talent for key industries​.

HR Tech vs. Innovation: A Cultural Clash

Employees, especially at large corporations, are increasingly frustrated with HR tech, which was intended to streamline processes but often feels too rigid and bureaucratic. Many skilled workers feel automated systems overlook their unique talents, especially in industries where flexibility and innovation are key. One software engineer on X (formerly Twitter) summed it up, saying, "The system reduces everyone to the lowest common denominator." This frustration highlights how HR tech can blunt creativity and innovation if companies choose the wrong software.

Remote Work and Flexibility

Flexible work arrangements are becoming problematic trends in HR for employers in 2024. “The Great Return" becomes "The Great Office Return".​ A recent survey found that 90% of companies are planning to return employees to the office. Over 80% of businesses that started this transition in 2023 used tools to track employee office attendance. Trends in global HR 2024 say about 70% of employers planning to return to the office also intend to monitor attendance, leading to strong reactions from workers.

Additionally, nearly one-third of employers said they would fire employees who refuse to work from the office instead of working remotely.

Work Conditions vs. Legal Issues

Trends in human resource management also take into account legal issues. This year, there were many interesting legal HR cases. For instance, an employee on cancer leave used a product called “Free Hemp” for pain relief, which was not banned by company policy. However, he failed a random drug test and was fired. He sued, and the court ruled in his favor. The court found that the company couldn't rely on the “honest belief” doctrine because it didn't investigate whether the hemp could have caused a false positive on the test.

These cases and employee-oriented HR industry trends show why companies need to regularly review and update their employment clauses. Adding clear rules about medical treatments, supplements, and how they affect drug tests can help avoid legal issues. It's also important for companies to have clear processes for handling employee disclosures and communicating policies. Taking these steps can prevent costly legal problems and create a more supportive, compliant workplace.

How to Interpret These HR Trends in 2025

These new trends in HR today are more people-focused than ever. Prioritizing employee well-being, fostering trust, and building strong connections are no longer optional. They’re essential for thriving teams.

To keep up in 2025:

1. Put people first: Prioritize trust, transparency, and well-being in all HR strategies.
2. Establish clear processes: Establish clear communication and adaptability to maximize team success.
3. Use the right tools: Adopt recruitment platforms that simplify feedback, improve workflows, and provide helpful data insights. But check whether they are secure and unbiased.

We wish you inspiration and resources to follow current trends in human resources and create a workplace culture in 2025 that empowers employees and drives long-term success.