52% In HR Either Now Or Are Comtemplating Using AI
New research conducted by WorkBuzz has found that 52% of HR professionals either now use artificial intelligence (AI) in their jobs or are contemplating doing so.
This 52% consisted of the following:-
- 24% stated that they were either already using AI or would be at some point within the next year
- 28% were actively considering using it
Whilst the average across the economy is 52%, the figure falls to 49% in ‘deskless’ industries - those sectors or job roles where employees do not primarily work at a desk or in a traditional office setting.
Comment
Commenting upon the findings, the CEO at WorkBuzz, Steven Frost, stated: "Generative AI and in particular ChatGPT have been making waves over the past year, disrupting traditional industries and changing how we think about new technology. For HR leaders, AI has the potential to be transformative – allowing them to make smarter decisions, automate processes and improve productivity. But there is much still to navigate like overcoming bias, ensuring security and upskilling employees to leverage this effectively."
As we highlighted in a recent article, AI is poised to transform the way organisations identify, assess, and select top candidates given its ability to optimise candidate sourcing, enhance screening and shortlisting, conduct automated interviews, provide predictive analytics, and streamline the onboarding processes.
Caution Required
Nevertheless, we cautioned in that article that it is essential to address the challenges related to the implementation of AI as it evolves in terms of addressing bias and discrimination, ensuring transparency, supplementing AI with human evaluations, and by prioritising data privacy and security. That is, striking the right balance between technology and human judgment is key to creating a successful AI-driven recruitment process.
Class 1 National Insurance Contributions To Fall From 6.1.24
The National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and will deliver a reduction in Class 1 National Insurance contributions (NIC's) on earnings between £242.00 and £967.00 from 12% to 10% with effect from the 6th January 2024.
The Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in mid-December.
Autumn Statement
The announcement of the intention to change the rate was made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in his Autumn Statement. He stated: "I’ve been clear from the start that I want to cut taxes. Now, having met our pledge to halve inflation, taxes can be cut in a responsible way that rewards work and helps grow our economy."
Other Changes
Other changes in terms of NIC's which will take place with effect from the 6th April 2024 are:
- Class 4 NIC's paid by the self-employed will fall from 9% to 8%
- The self-employed will no longer pay Class 2 NIC's
Working Parents: More Than A Third Have Considered Leaving Their Jobs
A new survey by OnePoll commissioned by REC Parenting has found that almost half of working mothers and 32% of working fathers have considered quitting their jobs on account of the difficulties they have encountered in combining their work with their family responsibilities.
The survey also found that part-time employees were more likely to encounter problems than full-time workers. Reasons for this include lower pay, limited access to employee benefits, and poorer working conditions.
Support Required
Reflecting on the research findings, the CEO of REC Parenting, Dr Ana Aznar, stated: "Our survey clearly shows that employers need to do more to support the parents in their workforce. Around 40% of all employees have dependent children, so failing to get this right could have serious consequences in the current war for talent. We also know that parents’ experience at works impacts their children, and when the parents fare better, the kids fare better. By supporting working parents, we are helping to raise well-balanced, kind, and resilient children who will be the future of our society."
