Economic pressures, legislative and policy changes, and evolving workplace norms are straining our HR teams. A new survey from MRA, The Evolving Workplace, highlights the critical issues HR teams are grappling with and illuminates opportunities for growth and improvement.
Burnout and Resource Limitations
The survey reveals a growing concern among HR professionals about burnout and overwhelming workloads. Many respondents describe their roles as a "one-person department," shouldering responsibilities that span payroll, compliance, recruitment, and beyond.
This strain is further compounded by staffing shortages and insufficient budgets, with many participants citing the challenge of balancing heavy workloads while lacking necessary tools and leadership support. As organizations increasingly demand more from HR teams, the rate of change may make it challenging for them to meet demands.
"The expectations for HR professionals are causing challenges, especially with a rapid rate of change in the workplace," says Samantha Siebenaller, MRA’s HR Services manager. "We’re seeing HR teams stretched to the limit and businesses looking for help in balancing workloads."
Expanded Managerial Roles
An overwhelming 93 percent of respondents believe that managers now hold more responsibilities than they did five years ago. These expanded roles include supporting employee mental health, managing hybrid and remote teams, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. As a result, companies are trying to prepare their managers to face these new challenges, with 72 percent of organizations reporting some or significant updates to how they train managers.
"As managers take on more responsibilities, their leadership training needs to grow with them," says Kate Walker, vice president of Learning and Development at MRA. "They’re not just looking to build leadership and communication skills; they want to equip leaders at every level to manage effectively, not just get by, but drive real growth for their organization."
Adapting to Strategic Shifts
As organizations look ahead to 2025, nearly half report having revised their strategic projects to adapt to new challenges. Priorities include improving employee engagement and satisfaction, aligning workforce goals with business objectives, and identifying future leaders. However, change management remains a pressing issue, with many organizations struggling to implement structured plans or provide sufficient training to navigate transitions smoothly. In fact, 42 percent of HR professionals surveyed expressed feeling neutral or lacking confidence about their organization's readiness to handle change management, indicating a gap in resources and preparation.
Through these findings, The Evolving Workplace survey underscores the critical need for investment in HR resources, leadership support, and comprehensive training programs. As organizations address these challenges, they have an opportunity to not only alleviate burnout but also drive meaningful change within their workplaces.
