As we move into the fourth quarter of the year, U.S. employers remain optimistic about hiring trends. Despite global economic uncertainties, the labor market has shown resilience, with unemployment and layoffs staying relatively low across many regions. Jonas Prising, the CEO of ManpowerGroup states, “The global labor market is holding steady as we move into the fourth quarter, with relatively low unemployment and layoff activity in many countries.” 

This positive hiring outlook creates opportunities for businesses, but it also presents new challenges, especially when it comes to finding the right talent and ensuring workplace safety. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recently announced $12.7 million in grants awarded to 102 nonprofits nationwide. These funds are aimed at promoting education and training initiatives that foster safer working environments. 

At GMS, we understand the dual importance of recruitment and safety. As businesses strive to grow, it’s crucial to not only bring in the right people but also maintain a secure workplace for all employees. Here’s how our recruitment services and risk management services can help your business succeed in Q4 and beyond: 

How GMS Can Support Your Hiring Needs 

Our recruitment services are designed to simplify the process of finding top talent, saving you time and resources. Whether you’re seeking temporary workers, full-time employees, or specialists, our team works closely with you to understand your unique needs and source qualified candidates. With the U.S. labor market in good shape, now is the time to optimize your recruitment strategy to ensure you’re hiring the right people to drive your business forward. 

In addition to our recruitment services, GMS offers guidance on maintaining compliance with safety regulations. The recent grants from the DOL highlight the growing importance of workplace safety, and GMS can assist your company in navigating these requirements.  

The Importance Of Workplace Safety 

Workplace safety is not just about compliance; it’s about protecting your employees and ensuring your business runs smoothly. Safer workplaces lead to higher employee morale, reduced injury-related downtime, and lower costs related to accidents or legal issues. By partnering with GMS, we help you foster a culture of safety while providing the tools and resources to support employee well-being and reduce risks. 

Why Partner With GMS? 

With the positive hiring outlook and new initiatives to promote workplace safety, businesses need a partner who can help manage these areas effectively. At GMS, we’re more than just a service provider: we’re your partner in growth. Our recruitment solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of your industry, while our safety services ensure you remain compliant with regulations that keep your employees safe. Let us handle the complexities of hiring and safety so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business. 

As the fourth quarter approaches, it’s a perfect time to reevaluate your hiring and workplace safety strategies. Whether you’re looking to expand your team or enhance workplace safety, GMS is here to help your business thrive. Reach out to us today to learn how we can make your business simpler, safer, and stronger! 

No matter the size of your company, effectively managing human resources (HR) is essential for business success. But as your company and workforce grow, managing and scaling your HR efforts can become more difficult. From recruiting the right candidates to maintaining employee satisfaction, proper HR management can take a lot of time and energy away from running your business. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of strategies to help you adapt your HR efforts to your business growth.  

Assess Current HR Needs And Future Growth 

Before you start making changes to your HR processes, it’s crucial to evaluate your current HR tools, needs, and processes. By identifying what is working well and what needs improvement, you can update your processes and make updates that align with your future goals and objectives. For example, if you are experiencing a high turnover rate, it might be time to reassess and update your current recruitment and hiring strategies. This can involve conducting exit interviews, revising interview questions, or updating job descriptions. These reviews can lead to more actionable improvements and potentially reduce your turnover rate.  

It’s also important to identify what your company’s needs will be in the future. By considering your growth trajectory and estimating the number of employees you’ll need in the coming years, you can better plan for future hiring and recruitment efforts. 

Invest In HR Technology  

In today’s business environment, streamlining workflows and managing employees can be challenging without technology. One effective way to enhance your company’s HR efforts is by investing in and implementing HR software. A cloud-based human resources information system (HRIS) allows you to effectively manage processes such as payroll, benefits administration, performance management, and leave management all in one place. Utilizing HR technology significantly improves operational efficiency, reduces the chance of manual error, helps you manage your growing workforce, and saves you time, allowing you to focus on developing more strategic HR initiatives.  

Another way to adapt your HR initiatives to your growing company is by implementing an employee self-service portal. By providing employees with a self-service portal for tasks like updating their personal information, accessing their pay stubs, and requesting time off, you can empower your employees to take charge of their information while reducing the HR workload. The portal also provides employees with the flexibility to manage their information and complete tasks on their own time.  

Focus On Data Protection And Compliance  

As your company grows, the volume of sensitive employee data increases. To prevent data breaches and ensure compliance, it’s essential to invest in security measures. This can include implementing multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and providing employee cybersecurity training. 

Additionally, staying updated on the latest labor laws and regulations is critical. As your workforce grows, the risk of noncompliance rises, potentially leading to costly fines and penalties. To avoid these, it’s vital to train your workforce on proper procedures and policies. 

Provide Training And Support 

As your company expands, training your workforce becomes increasingly crucial. Training and reskilling your employees not only increases their satisfaction and productivity but also contributes to your company’s long-term success. Employee training programs can enhance morale by making employees feel valued and prioritized. Continuous support throughout their tenure will improve their performance, strengthen your company’s reputation, and simplify HR management for your team. 

GMS: The HR Solution 

Whether your company is growing steadily or rapidly, effective HR management is key to long-term success. Regularly monitoring key HR metrics such as employee turnover, time-to-hire, and employee satisfaction helps identify areas for improvement. As a business owner, it’s important to be open to feedback and continuously seek ways to optimize your HR processes and tools to support your company’s growth. Scaling HR tools effectively is essential for small to midsize companies aiming for sustainable growth. However, managing this process alone can be challenging. That’s where Group Management Services (GMS) comes in. 

GMS is a professional employer organization (PEO) that helps business owners reduce the administrative burden of running a business and effectively manage HR and recruitment efforts. With our HR software, learning management system (LMS), employee performance management services, and the expertise of our HR professionals, we can simplify and strengthen your HR processes, allowing you to focus on growing your business. Contact us today to learn more! 

The competitive job market today makes it increasingly important to retain top talent. While employees may be staying in their current roles longer than they have before, businesses still face significant challenges when it comes to developing their workforce. Upskilling and reskilling have become top priorities for businesses of all sizes, but many are finding it difficult to implement these initiatives effectively. According to Springboard’s State of the Workforce Skills Gap 2024, over 63% of leaders say that upskilling is the top priority for solving their company skills gap in the next year, and 43% plan to invest in reskilling. 

For organizations looking to stay competitive and ensure long-term success, it’s essential to have a clear strategy in place for reskilling and upskilling employees. At Group Management Services (GMS), we specialize in equipping businesses with the expertise and tools to identify skill gaps, train employees, and cultivate a culture of learning that fuels growth and innovation. 

Identifying Skills Gaps And Strategic Planning 

One of the biggest hurdles companies face is determining which skills their employees need to develop. Many businesses are unsure where to start, which can lead to a generalized approach that fails to address the most pressing skill gaps. The key to successful upskilling is narrowing down the critical skills your business will need for future success and then aligning those needs with current employee capabilities.  

At GMS, we work with business leaders to help them identify these key skills and develop targeted training programs. Our employee management services include performance management systems that track progress and ensure that your workforce is evolving to meet the demands of tomorrow. Whether it’s tech skills, leadership development, or industry-specific training, GMS can help you build a reskilling roadmap tailored to your business’s unique needs. 

Training That Works For Your Team 

Once you’ve identified the skills your team needs to continue developing, it’s important to provide the proper training opportunities. However, finding relevant training is only part of the solution. Employees need the time and resources to take full advantage of these opportunities. At GMS, we understand that the logistics of upskilling can be complicated. From taking employees off the production line to giving them the flexibility to attend virtual workshops, we can help you create an environment where learning thrives without sacrificing productivity. 

Our comprehensive human resources solutions provide access to training programs and other learning resources, all while ensuring your workforce can maintain a balance between learning and job responsibilities. We help you implement strategies to minimize short-term performance dips that can occur when employees are learning new skills, so your business stays on track. 

Recruiting With Learning In Mind 

It’s not just about training current employees; hiring the right talent plays a crucial role in your company’s long-term success. It is imperative to recruit candidates who not only have the necessary skills but also the motivation and ability to learn. At GMS, our recruiting services ensure that you’re hiring individuals who are both capable and adaptable. 

Given the rapid pace of industry changes, hiring employees with the ability to learn quickly can be more valuable than finding someone who meets every technical requirement from the start. Our recruiting strategies emphasize finding individuals with the drive to continuously improve, ensuring your workforce remains adaptable. 

How GMS Can Help You Succeed 

At GMS, we know that upskilling and reskilling are more than just buzzwords; they’re essential strategies for retaining talent and staying competitive. Our team of experts provides the guidance and tools you need to effectively train your employees and fill the skills gaps in your workforce.  

With GMS’s employee management services, you can navigate the complexities of workforce development and create a learning culture that promotes business success. Partner with us to enhance your recruiting, training, and performance management processes, ensuring that both your employees and your business are prepared for the future. 

The workplace of 2025 is prepared to look vastly different from the pre-pandemic world. As businesses adapt to new challenges and trends, the workplace shifts toward greater flexibility, technological advancements, and a renewed focus on employee well-being and diversity. These changes are not just temporary responses to the global crises of the past few years but are instead shaping the future of work. By understanding these trends, companies can stay ahead of the curve and better position themselves for long-term success. Here are a few trends to note for 2025:

Hybrid Work Models Are Here To Stay

The most visible change in the workplace is the increased prevalence of remote work. While many businesses initially turned to remote work as a necessary solution during the COVID-19 pandemic, this trend has become a permanent fixture for many organizations. By 2025, a significant number of employees will continue to work remotely, either full-time or in a hybrid model that combines remote work with occasional in-office days.  

This transition offers both opportunities and challenges for businesses. By hiring remote employees, companies can tap into a broader talent pool, including individuals from various regions or countries. However, maintaining a unified company culture and collaboration among remote teams will necessitate careful planning and the adoption of new communication strategies. Flexibility is key, with many businesses redesigning office spaces to accommodate a more dynamic workforce.

A Focus On Employee Health And Safety

The pandemic heightened awareness around health and safety in the workplace, and this focus will only intensify in the coming years. Employers will continue to prioritize the well-being of their employees with investments in advanced health and safety protocols. Companies are also expected to implement more comprehensive mental health support programs, recognizing the toll that stress and anxiety have taken on employees over the past few years. 

Additionally, the growing importance of health and wellness benefits will lead businesses to increase their offerings, from expanded employee assistance programs (EAPs) to virtual wellness services. By focusing on both physical and mental health, companies can create a supportive environment that helps employees thrive.

Technology Integration And Automation

The rapid acceleration of digital transformation during the pandemic has permanently changed how businesses operate. By 2025, companies will rely even more on advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and automation to streamline operations and enhance productivity. These tools will be essential for managing a dispersed workforce, as well as for training, collaboration, and customer service. 

However, with increased automation comes the need for reskilling. As some tasks become automated, employees must develop new skills to stay relevant in the evolving job market. Companies that invest in reskilling programs will not only support their current workforce but will also ensure they have the talent needed to compete in an increasingly digital workplace.

The Future Of Leadership

The traditional command-and-control leadership style is being replaced by a more empathetic approach that prioritizes emotional intelligence. In 2025, expect to see leaders who are more attuned to their employees’ emotions, needs, and concerns. This trend will require leaders to be more self-aware, adaptable, and compassionate. By building strong team relationships, leaders can boost innovation, creativity, and growth, leading to greater success. 

To support this shift, organizations will need to invest in training programs that help managers develop these skills. Embracing continuous learning and development is essential for creating an environment where employees can thrive. One effective way to achieve this is through a learning management system (LMS), which provides a structured platform for training and development. An LMS can offer a variety of courses and resources to help managers enhance their emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities. 

The Importance of Looking Ahead 

As these trends continue to shape the workplace, businesses must take proactive steps to prepare for the future. Planning for the coming years, rather than reacting to changes as they happen, is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. By adopting the right technologies, cultivating a flexible and inclusive culture, and prioritizing employee well-being, companies can position themselves for success in 2025 and beyond. 

How GMS Can Help Your Business Navigate Workplace Changes 

At GMS, we understand that staying ahead of these workplace trends can be challenging. That’s why we offer comprehensive HR solutions to help your business adapt to the evolving changes. From managing remote work policies to enhancing health and safety protocols, GMS provides the tools and expertise needed to ensure your company is prepared for the future. 

Our services include: 

• Human resources support: We help you create a flexible, diverse, and inclusive workplace while ensuring compliance with ever-changing regulations. 

• Payroll and benefits administration: GMS simplifies your payroll processes and offers competitive benefits packages that support employee well-being. 
• Workplace safety solutions: We assist in developing and implementing safety programs that protect your employees’ physical and mental health. 

As you look ahead to 2025, now is the time to start planning for the future. Contact GMS for a quote and learn how we can help your business thrive in 2025! 

As the year draws to a close, businesses often focus on wrapping up key projects, finalizing budgets, and preparing for the upcoming year. One important aspect of employee management should not be overlooked: performance reviews.  

Many companies treat performance reviews as a formal, once-a-year obligation, but this traditional approach can be outdated and ineffective. Instead, reevaluating and restructuring your performance review process can lead to better employee development, clearer communication, and overall improved business outcomes. In fact, companies that implement regular employee feedback have 14.9% lower turnover rates than those that do not. Additionally, 92% of employees want feedback more often than just once a year. 

Why Performance Reviews Matter 

At their core, performance reviews serve several vital functions: 

• Clarifying expectations: Employees need to understand what’s expected of them to succeed in their roles. 
• Identifying areas for improvement: A review is an opportunity to provide constructive feedback and help employees grow. 
• Setting developmental goals: Performance reviews offer a space to outline specific, actionable goals for employee progress. 

However, waiting an entire year to offer feedback or address concerns can make the process feel forced and less impactful. Employees may be unaware of how they are performing in real-time, making it harder for them to improve. The feedback also tends to be less relevant, as it may focus on events or actions from months earlier, missing the opportunity for ongoing growth and relationship-building. 

Reevaluate Your Performance Review Process 

One of the key reasons companies should consider revisiting their performance review structure is to create more timely and effective conversations between employees and managers. Traditional reviews often lead to a feeling of dread, stress, and inefficiency. Instead of waiting for year-end or mid-year check-ins, a more frequent review process—whether monthly, quarterly, or after significant milestones—can help streamline feedback and goal –setting. 

More frequent performance evaluations allow managers to: 

• Provide timely feedback: Employees benefit more from immediate feedback rather than waiting months to hear how they performed on a specific project or task. 
• Address issues early: Ongoing reviews can help identify issues early, making it easier to adjust behaviors or strategies before they negatively affect performance. 
• Promote continuous growth: Shorter, more focused reviews help managers guide employees in real-time, improving overall performance and productivity. 

Structuring Reviews For Success 

A performance review is only as effective as the preparation and structure behind it. Here are some best practices to follow: 

• Consistent documentation: Keep detailed notes on employee performance throughout the year. This avoids the common pitfall of only focusing on recent actions or projects, ensuring a well-rounded review that highlights both strengths and areas for improvement. 
• Standardized questions: Make sure to ask consistent questions across reviews to maintain fairness and transparency. This approach avoids biases and ensures that all employees are being evaluated on the same criteria. 
• Active listening: Performance reviews should be a conversation, not a one-way critique. Give employees the space to express their thoughts and provide their own feedback on their performance and goals. 

Start Preparing Now With GMS 

As the end of the year approaches, now is the perfect time to reevaluate your performance review process. Moving away from outdated, annual reviews to a more frequent and structured approach not only improves employee satisfaction but also helps your business grow and thrive.  

With the right tools, support, and guidance, GMS can help you optimize your performance management strategy, ensuring your team is set up for success in the coming year. GMS can help your company by: 

• Streamlining the review process: We assist in setting up structured, consistent review schedules and processes tailored to your business needs. 
• Providing performance management tools: Our services include performance tracking and management tools, ensuring that you and your managers can easily document and review employee performance throughout the year. 
• Training managers: GMS offers training for managers on best practices for conducting performance reviews, giving feedback, and setting goals that drive employee success. 
• Ensuring compliance and fairness: With GMS’s support, you can ensure your reviews are conducted fairly, legally, and in a way that promotes employee development and growth. 

At GMS, we understand that managing employee performance reviews can be a daunting task for any business, especially when you’re trying to balance day-to-day operations. Let GMS assist in making your employee reviews a streamlined and productive process that supports both your employees and your business objectives. Reach out to us today to learn how we can partner with you in building a stronger, more efficient workforce.