As the year draws to a close, we took a moment to reflect on the major trends shaping the human resources sector in 2024.
We asked our team at Flexia Conseil two key questions:
- What trends do you see as having marked the year?
- What do you observe in your day-to-day work with our customers?
Here are testimonials from five of the team’s experts. Their testimonials paint a realistic picture, inspired by their own experiences with customers over the past twelve months.
Teleworking And The Quest For Flexibility: A Priority For Everyone
Camille Auger-Clavet
HR & OD Consultant
Camille Auger-Clavet, HR and OD consultant, has noted that telecommuting and hybrid working will still be at the heart of the debate in 2024. In her view, it’s not so much the work mode itself that’s important, but the flexibility it offers.
“People want to work in an organization that offers a flexible work-life balance. Being able to work from home if the little one is sick or if a technician needs to come by for a repair; in my opinion, that’s what employees are looking for and value.”
Camille also stresses the importance for employers of fostering employee well-being, a topic she believes directly influences engagement at work (Gallup 2024). It highlights the notion of sensegiving, the ability of managers to give meaning to employees’ work.
“I find that our customers get confused about the notion of flexible conciliation. They’re wondering how to establish a framework, while still being flexible. Employers are full of good will, but don’t know where to draw the line. They navigate between too much and too little conciliation, but few are lacking in benevolence.”
Our 2024 blogs related to this topic:
Artificial Intelligence: Between Opportunities And Limits
Alexandre Mailhot-Théberge
Project Manager, Marketing & Multimedia Content Production
For Alexandre Mailhot-Théberge, Marketing Project Manager and Multimedia Content Producer, artificial intelligence (AI) will play an important role in companies by 2024.
“Platforms like ChatGPT are no longer a secret to managers and their teams. Now offered with a multitude of extensions, AI can be used for multiple facets, in many forms and in all professional spheres.”
However, he cautions: “AI is not the answer to everything. Human expertise must remain at the forefront and remains imperative in the equation for success and authenticity. The combination of the two can represent a strength, whereas the exclusive use of AI on a daily basis will have the opposite effect.”
Alexandre also stresses the importance of employee well-being as a key HR concern in 2024.
“At Flexia, a number of initiatives have been implemented over the past year to ensure the well-being of our staff. It all starts with our modern, open and pleasant facilities. Then there’s the Concilivi seal of approval (family-work balance) and the various Flexivities organized by our invaluable QVT committee. And above all, there’s the team. There’s a conviviality between colleagues and managers which, without a doubt, is a key element in well-being and enables us to move forward together.”
Our 2024 blogs related to this topic:
Face-To-Face Or Hybrid: Finding The Right Balance
Alyssa Lopez-Racine
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
For Alyssa Lopez-Racine, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, the question of returning to the office remains a delicate one, especially for employees who enjoy teleworking.
“In 2024, we’ve heard a lot about the evolution of working methods and, in particular, the mandatory return to face-to-face work, for example at Ubisoft or in the public sector. Many organizations advocate face-to-face work for the benefits of collaboration and team cohesion, but it seems to remain a controversial decision especially from the point of view of employees and job-seeking candidates.”
She notes that the key lies in trust and organizational agility:
“The ideal scenario for an organization would be to opt for a hybrid mode, where the employee can choose which days he or she wants to work in the office, or allow autonomous management of the work schedule with, for example, targets to achieve and flexible arrival and departure times.”
Our 2024 blog linked to this topic:
Investing In Human Relations
Mélanie Dionne
Partner and HR & OD Director
Mélanie Dionne, HR and OD Manager, has observed a growing interest in training courses on civility, communication and conflict management.
“When I give these courses, I see a great deal of awareness among employees. I’m convinced that what they learn will have a positive impact not only on their professional relationships, but also on their personal ones. I really feel we’re making a difference to people’s well-being!”
Our 2024 blogs related to this topic:
Reinventing The Way We Work
Josiane Dubreuil
HR & OD Consultant
Finally, Josiane Dubreuil, HR and OD consultant, highlights changing working patterns as a hot topic for 2024.
“Whether we’re thinking of the 4-day week, telecommuting, hybrid mode, shared office space… these are all topics that can give managers and employees a lot of headaches.We are currently bombarded with articles reporting on companies that have successfully adopted new forms of work organization.”
However, it calls for careful consideration before adopting any practice:
“Before jumping in headlong and following all the new trends on this subject, it’s important to question your needs as an organization and survey your employees about their expectations.What works for one organization is no guarantee for another. For example, brainstorming with an advisory committee can help find solutions that work for everyone.
Don’t forget that it’s also possible to implement practices in “pilot project” mode for a few months and then reassess the situation with your teams! And keep in mind that any change requires a period of adaptation and a LOT of communication. “
Our 2024 blogs related to this topic:
In a nutshell
The year 2024 was a period of transformation and reflection in the field of human resources. At Flexia Conseil, we found that discussions on flexibility, employee well-being, the integration of artificial intelligence and new forms of work organization dominated exchanges, both with our colleagues and our customers.
As our team’s testimonials clearly demonstrate, HR is no longer just an operational issue, but a genuine strategic lever for organizational success. Whether it’s the search for innovative solutions or initiatives to strengthen trust, commitment and family-work balance, the challenges are as numerous as they are exciting.
As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is certain: people must remain at the heart of an organization’s business strategy. Let’s continue to build work environments where practices make a real difference.
We’ll be back shortly with the topics, priorities and trends that will shape 2025.
If you’re ready to start the year with a bang with Flexia, schedule your appointment with our team for next January.
