CAHRS Top 10 March 2025
- HR Leaders Heading into 2025
What Issues are Top of Mind for Them?
CAHRS
CAHRS Academic Director and William J. Conaty Professor of Strategic Human Resources Brad Bell shared the results of the 5th Annual CAHRS survey on HR leaders’ top priorities in 2025 in this CAHRScast. While some priorities have remained consistent over the past five years, new issues have emerged. HR transformation, organizational change, and culture evolution stood out as dominant themes. The survey results provide a forward-looking perspective into the shifting landscape of HR priorities as organizations navigate a dynamic future.
Although the key themes from 2024 are similar to this year’s, take a look at the recording from the CAHRScast to see more specifically how they ranked.
- AI Agents in Enterprise
How Will They Change the Way We Work?
Workday Blog
Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents are transforming enterprise operations by autonomously learning, reasoning, and completing tasks to address complex business challenges. CAHRS partner company Workday explores the evolving role of AI agents in enterprise operations - agents capable of autonomously executing tasks and learning from user interactions. Key considerations are identified for implementing AI agents, including data governance, user-centric design, and risk management.
- Bosses are Exerting Their Power.
What Could Trump’s Crackdown Mean for Your job?
MSN
As workplace dynamics evolve, employers are increasingly asserting their authority, sparking concerns about employee rights and job security. The potential impact of President Donald Trump’s policies and crackdowns on labor regulations will affect workers across the United States. Brad Bell, CAHRS Academic Director and William J. Conaty Professor of Strategic Human Resources, speaks to the effects of return-to-office on the workforce.
- Boomerangs – Wanted
Perhaps Too Much
Korn Ferry
New research published in Organization Science reveals that "boomerang" employees—those who leave a company and later return—make up around 15% of today's workforce. These employees often bring valuable insights and familiarity with the organization, making them attractive hiring options, especially in niche sectors. However, their reintegration can be challenging, as they may not receive adequate onboarding support due to assumptions about their familiarity with the workplace.
- Human Resources Trends
5 to Watch in 2025
AON
HR is increasingly central to shaping company strategy as it adapts to evolving workforce trends. To support this endeavor, HR leaders must focus on creating flexible, personalized total rewards that meet individual employees. Wellbeing has become crucial to productivity, with a shift toward sustainable performance. As benefit budgets tighten, improving the governance of benefits programs is key to aligning them with both employee needs and company values.
- Listening, Analytics and Transparency
Their Critical Roles in Employee Experiences
HR Executive
This interview with Perceptyx Chief People Officer identifies the importance of simplifying data delivery to seamlessly fit into managers’ workflows, fostering employee engagement. By equipping HR leaders with robust data and cross-functional insights, organizations can ensure more successful outcomes.
For other ways to inspire employee engagement, take a look at this new ILR School research, showing that workers want a say in their work. According to Duanyi Yang, ILR Assistant Professor of Global Labor and Work, "a voice gap is significantly associated with lower job satisfaction and well-being, as well as higher burnout and turnover intention."
- Intelligent Choice Architectures
The Great Power Shift: How ICAs Rewrite Decision Rights
MIT Sloan
Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven decision environments are transforming enterprise decision-making. Intelligent Choice Architectures (ICAs) leverage predictive and generative AI to generate diverse decision options, enabling better outcomes. ICAs push organizations to rethink decision rights, accountability, and governance, shifting focus from decision execution to decision design.
- Why Are Companies Ending DEI Programs?
A Look at Growing Trends in Corporate America
The HR Digest
Five years after pledging nearly $50 billion to address racial inequality, many large companies are scaling back their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in response to legal, political, and economic pressures. Political shifts, economic concerns, and legal rulings against race-based affirmative action are prompting organizations to reassess or rebrand their strategies under broader human capital frameworks.
For more information about DEI, have a listen to the Cornell Keynotes podcast “Online Recruitment for People With Disabilities”, featuring ILR School’s Susanne Bruyere, professor of disability studies and academic director of the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability.
9. Gartner HR Survey
More Than Half of C-Suite Leaders are Likely to Leave Over the Next two Years; 27% Likely to Leave Within six Months
Gartner
A recent Gartner survey shows that the anticipated high rate of C-suite turnover poses significant risks to organizational performance, as less-tenured executive teams often lead to slower enterprise growth. A majority of executives are experiencing increased workloads and stress compared to two years ago. Despite challenges, CHROs can play a key role in reducing turnover and ensuring executive teams remain cohesive and effective.
- CAHRS Virtual Working Group: New Developments in Structured Interviewing
Structured interviews have consistently proven effective in improving hiring outcomes. In a recent working group, CAHRS partner companies came together to discuss evolving practices in structured interviewing. Key discussions focused on the roles of Talent Acquisition (TA) and HR Business Partners (HRBPs) in designing and implementing these processes.