Are we living through a time of exceptional change and challenge? Is the current path of technology, global politics, and work in general, one which is generating more problems than ever before? This issue of HRO Today EMEA would seem to suggest so.
Mergers and acquisitions have always occurred in the business world, and they have always brought with them the challenge of integrating employees into a larger emerging organisation. But the need to ensure every worker is effective in their new position means the issue of company culture is foregrounded and one which HR must consider alongside the technicalities of bringing businesses together.
Technology has brought work into employee’s homes—for better and for worse—and as this has happened, the issue of enabling workers to effectively switch off has grown in importance. Governments are increasingly intervening to provide protection to those who find it difficult to get away from it all. But is this legislation useful, or is it just another administrative pain for HR?
Finally, we delve into antifragility, an approach which, while over 10 years old, may be appropriate for current times. Being antifragile means being able to thrive during adversity and actually using difficult times as a springboard to better. It’s a call to going further than just being resilient—to looking challenges in the eye and going one better. As we embark on this new year, could this offer the approach HR needs to build and maintain successful organisations? Only time will tell.
Simon Kent
Editor-at-Large
