Kasun Chathuranga Dissanayaka

Conflicts at work are inevitable within any organization; they usually occur because of differences in perspectives, communication styles, or misunderstandings. Effectively managing these differences of opinion can become pivotal in the maintenance of a healthy work environment and building trust among employees. Handling disputes with empathy and efficiency not only helps resolve issues quicker but also leads to long-term team cohesion and morale. 1. Understanding the Root Cause Empathy in conflict resolution involves an understanding of the root issues and not just the surface grievances. Active listening to all parties by HR professionals and managers can thus bring out the actual causes of the friction that seemed to have originated from other causes, which perhaps originate from unmet needs or unmet expectations, according to Goleman (2017). Such empathy helps in creating a conducive environment wherein employees would feel free to express themselves openly, thereby giving way to ...

In today's fast-paced work environment, employee retention is at the top of organizations' minds. High turnover negatively impacts productivity and company morale, and a company's financial investment in human capital is depleted. Following are some effective strategies to improve retention and reduce turnover in 2024. Engage Employees Encouraged employees are more likely to be longer-term workers. To develop engagement, a company should encourage open communication, reward achievement, and ensure a positive work environment. An engaged employee often will feel a closer bond and appreciation with his or her company and less desire to leave. In fact, according to a recent Gallup report, organizations with high employee engagement see 43% lower turnover rates. The top reasons employees leave a company include a lack of growth opportunities. It is a good idea for companies to invest in some career development programs, including upskilling and mentoring. In a recent survey con...

  Performance reviews are the pivotal moments of feedback that enable understanding by employees of their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for further growth. Unfortunately, many employees view performance reviews with a sense of dread rather than as an opportunity for growth. By incorporating constructive feedback and motivation, managers have the ability to convert these into positive sessions that motivate employees to excel. Here's how to approach performance reviews in a manner that will promote growth and engagement. 1. Set Clear Expectations and Goals A successful performance review, in fact, begins a lot earlier than the actual meeting itself. In this regard, employees should know their tasks and what is expected of them. When goals are clearly set, it provides the employees with an opportunity to channel their energies toward the realization of certain results, while offering the manager quantifiable metrics to be discussed in the review. Studies have also proved that spec...

  Remote working has brought in a sea change in the professional scenario, and hybrid, flexible models of working have become the new normal. As organizations all over the world strive to adapt to both the demands and benefits of remote work, now is the best time to examine the trends that define this new environment of work and its impact on productivity, collaboration, and employee wellbeing. First, more firms now recognize that working remotely can increase productivity while reducing many operating costs. A Stanford study discovered that workers working from home were 13% more productive due to fewer distractions and reduced commuting time. This trend is reflected in industries where advanced tools of digital communication and collaboration create real opportunities for efficient workflow without the actual necessity for offices. However, it also means some unique challenges. High team cohesion and a positive company culture are quite challenging to maintain in a virtual or hyb...

Analytics has become a key avenue for making decisions to help improve the operations of HR in organizations in today's fast-moving business environment. The analytics would draw valuable insights for the HR department concerning employee performance, engagement, and turnover, which would create more informed strategies for achieving goals at an organizational level. Data-driven HR decisions are all about collecting and working out appropriate metrics. The metrics may range from how effective recruitment has been through employee satisfaction to productivity levels and retention rates. According to Marler and Boudreau (2017), strategic uses of data in HR will not only drive operational efficiencies but also improve the overall employee experience. Through the analysis of leading trends in data, the HR professional will be able to identify such areas that need improvement and install targeted initiatives aimed at driving performance and satisfaction. A very big advantage of data-dri...

  A positive organizational culture is the bedrock of a successful business, wherein workers are more involved, satisfied, and productive. Certainly, the HR department builds and sustains such a culture by aligning organizational values, communicating consistently with all ranks, and establishing policies to build better employee experiences. An HR department that is serious about the task of building a constructive work environment will reap rewards in terms of job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and innovation. One of the major means through which HR can positively influence organizational culture is by making available and facilitating proper use of channels of communication within the organization. Open communication builds up trust and allows an employee to feel valued, respected, and understood. As Chatman and O'Reilly (2016) noted, communication molds perceptions about the workplace, influencing attachment to organizational values and the ability to contribute effectively. H...

Artificial Intelligence has taken over almost every industry, and human resources cannot be left out. Automation of repetitive tasks, making better decisions, and gaining data-informed insights are only some of the capabilities that AI has bestowed on HR professionals to slim down processes, improve the employee experience, and free them up for more strategic functions. One of the most significant ways in which AI has taken over the face of HR involves talent acquisition. Manual recruiting conventionally took a lot of time for sifting through applications and shortlisting candidates. Through AI-driven tools, organizations can now automate the process of resume screening for finding the right candidates matching a certain specified criterion; even the fitment of the candidate to the culture of an organization can be predicted. Using big datasets, AI-powered tools provide HR with predictive insight that helps recruiters in data-backed hiring decisions, cutting down on recruitment biases,...

In the modern, busy business environment, continuous learning has become an indispensable role in developing not just an individual's competency but also an organization. In this regard, employeeswho are into active continuous learning greatly contribute to the competitiveness and growth of companies. Continuous learning benefits employee development in areas relating not only to skill acquisition but also adaptability, enhancement of problem-solving ability, and a life-long learning culture within an organization. Continuous learning and development occur mainly through the enhancement of skills and knowledge among employees. Continuous education helps an individual to stay updated with industry trends, technological advancements, best practices, and ultimately do job tasks in an improved and high-quality manner as argued by Smith & Duckett (2020) in their work. Continuous learning also provides an opportunity for the employees to become knowledgeable in more areas of expertis...

  Mental health has become an important factor in workplace relations over the last few years and therefore has called for the attention of HR professionals. Mental health proves to be one of the crucial touching points in the lives of employees as it affects not only the productivity and engagement of the individual employee but also the general performance of the organization. Therefore, it is important on the part of an organization to provide a facilitating work environment to uplift the mental well-being of the employees. One of the important reasons why mental health should be a priority for HR is that it has a direct link with employee productivity. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety result in about US$1 trillion in lost productivity annually from the global economy. Employees facing mental health issues usually demonstrate lower motivation and higher absenteeism. Thus, through initiatives on mental health, HR can help to overcome such challen...

In today’s fast-evolving corporate landscape, Human Resources (HR) has become central not only in managing personnel but also in driving organizational growth and culture. The traditional role of HR—centered around hiring, payroll, and compliance—has expanded. Modern HR practices now encompass strategic involvement in employee engagement, company culture, and the overall alignment of the workforce with organizational goals. This shift is critical in adapting to a workplace that increasingly values agility, inclusivity, and well-being. One significant change in HR’s role has been its focus on employee engagement and retention. Research shows that companies with highly engaged employees outperform competitors by 147% in earnings per share, highlighting the importance of workplace satisfaction in driving productivity and profitability (Gallup, 2020). HR professionals are increasingly tasked with creating work environments that foster this engagement. Through initiatives such as feedback l...