Human resource expert: Prepare now for post-recession market

Businesses that prepare now for the post-recessionary market will emerge from the economic slump faster and stronger than those that don’t, a human resource expert from Oklahoma told about 150 local business representatives Tuesday.

Jack Smalley, who heads human resources learning and development for Express Employment Professionals’ corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City, stopped in Colorado Springs to present a seminar titled “Think Big.” The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event as part of its “Chamber University.”

During the economic slowdown, human resource departments have helped companies not only with downsizing, restructuring and reducing benefits, but with supporting the survivors and figuring out how to get the work done with fewer employees, Smalley said.

But it’s time for companies to move to the next level by again relying on human resource staff. The reason, he said, is that when the economy turns around, businesses will likely experience their highest employee turnover rate in decades.

“A lot of people will look to change jobs because of the perception that they were mistreated, and HR’s job is to make sure companies retain the good people and be the employer of choice,” he said.

Many companies also will continue to undergo organizational change every 18 months as they adapt to the competitive market and a transformation of the work force. Of the nation’s 80 million baby boomers, 65 million will retire in the next decade, Smalley said. Thus, employers should prime workers born after 1964 to take over management positions and receive mentoring from baby boomers, Smalley said.

He also advises employers to cater to younger workers’ needs.

“In the next 10 to 15 years, we’re going to have a completely different work force,” he said, “and HR strategies include changing benefits and the work culture to enhance what Gen Xers and Millennials value: flexible hours, generous vacation policies, telecommuting, relaxed dress codes and the latest technology.”