‘Pulled in every direction’: HR leaders navigating RTO mandates, AI disruption, finds report
Resource Details
Author(s): Stacy Thomas
Date: April 16, 2025
“HR teams are being pulled in every direction.” So says Luck Dookchitra, VP People at Leapsome, in looking at the results from its recent survey.
For one, 56% globally are under pressure to force a ‘return-to-office’ (RTO) policy, yet 81% believe that forced RTO isn’t the right call.
In addition, 73% of HR decision-makers are planning workforce restructuring due to AI, but 64% are concerned about a major ‘AI skills gap’.
And 92% of HR leaders report internal resistance when championing people-centric initiatives like DEI, flexibility, and well-being, found the survey of 1,000 HR decision-makers across the US, UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Fortunately, HR isn’t just holding things together, “they’re guiding the business forward,” says Dookchitra, in a release. “They’re using people data to lead high-stakes conversations — and pushing back when leadership forgets what actually drives performance: trust, inclusion, and alignment.” […]
Research has shown that hybrid is not only the most popular work style with employees, but it increases productivity, according to Erin Reid, professor of human resources and management at the DeGroote School of Business.
“Three days a week seems like probably the optimal solution,” she says. “It gives people the flexibility that we appreciate and makes our lives better, while at the same time bringing them into a culture, helping to build an office culture and creating the opportunity for in-person meetings, which are generally more effective.”
For one, 56% globally are under pressure to force a ‘return-to-office’ (RTO) policy, yet 81% believe that forced RTO isn’t the right call.
In addition, 73% of HR decision-makers are planning workforce restructuring due to AI, but 64% are concerned about a major ‘AI skills gap’.
And 92% of HR leaders report internal resistance when championing people-centric initiatives like DEI, flexibility, and well-being, found the survey of 1,000 HR decision-makers across the US, UK, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Fortunately, HR isn’t just holding things together, “they’re guiding the business forward,” says Dookchitra, in a release. “They’re using people data to lead high-stakes conversations — and pushing back when leadership forgets what actually drives performance: trust, inclusion, and alignment.” […]
Research has shown that hybrid is not only the most popular work style with employees, but it increases productivity, according to Erin Reid, professor of human resources and management at the DeGroote School of Business.
“Three days a week seems like probably the optimal solution,” she says. “It gives people the flexibility that we appreciate and makes our lives better, while at the same time bringing them into a culture, helping to build an office culture and creating the opportunity for in-person meetings, which are generally more effective.”