As organizations adapt to a shifting workforce landscape, HR leaders are prioritizing six key areas in 2025. Workforce planning is critical, yet few companies take a long-term approach, despite challenges like automation and leadership retirements. Change management is another pressing issue, with HR playing a vital role in reducing employee fatigue and preparing managers for transitions. Addressing these challenges strategically will help organizations stay competitive and resilient.

Technology and workplace expectations are also reshaping HR strategies. While AI streamlines recruitment, candidates still value human interaction. Companies are shifting toward skills-based hiring, prioritizing qualities like resilience over formal degrees. A strong employee value proposition ( remains essential, and the hybrid work model continues to dominate, with employees resisting full-time office mandates. As HR evolves, its role in driving agility and employee-focused strategies will be key to long-term success.

1. Workforce Planning and Organization Development.

“Aligning human resources and talent strategies with both short- and long-term business goals has become increasingly critical due to significant shifts in the labor and professional talent markets,” Mr. Bensen said. Despite this urgency, a recent Gartner survey reveals that only about 15 percent of companies engage in strategic workforce planning. Why is this a pressing need? Mr. Bensen explained to consider the following examples:

Automation in Manufacturing: As manufacturing shifts towards greater automation, the current workforce may struggle to adapt, leading to higher turnover rates. To address this, companies must redefine hiring criteria, implement reskilling programs, and establish new hiring projections to meet the demands of an automated environment.

Leadership and Workforce Retirements: Organizations are facing a surge in retirements, particularly in leadership roles. For instance, some companies anticipate that nearly 50 percent of their leaders will retire in the coming years. Similarly, hospitals are experiencing record levels of nurse retirements. While managing these short-term challenges can be overwhelming, it is equally essential to step back and develop a long-term strategy to ensure sustained success.

2. Change Management.

“Both employees and leaders are navigating an era of rapid transformations, driven by HR talent trends, workplace shifts, advancing technology, leadership transitions, and evolving competitive landscapes,” Mr. Bensen said. These dynamics have led to widespread change fatigue, with 73 percent of HR leaders citing it in a recent Gartner survey. Additionally, 74 percent of managers acknowledge they are not adequately prepared to guide their teams through these transitions.

“This highlights the essential role of HR in supporting change management,” said Mr. Bensen. “By addressing HR talent trends, fostering readiness, providing targeted resources, and equipping leaders to handle change, HR can alleviate fatigue, strengthen leadership capabilities, and ensure smoother organizational transitions.”

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