The Present of Our Youth, the Future of Our Workforce.
The population of Canada/North America is going through a multitude of physiological and psychological changes. The Human Resource Planner is encountering an increased range of social trend issues that are directly affecting their present and future workforces.
As stated within the Canadian Press article by Greg Bonnell, Statistics Canada has released a study that indicates nearly one third of Canadian teens are reporting at least one chronic health issue. From physical ailments such as bronchitis, asthma and back pain, to episodic drinking, smoking, obesity and depression, Canadian youth are by far the unhealthiest that we have ever seen. .
The present impact of such findings is the effect upon the parents, the employee. The ever increasing attempt for employees to balance a personal life with an ever more encompassing work life is presenting an increased challenge to the H. R. Planner. Many employees face the challenges of trying to spend quality time with their families while vigorously pursuing a career. They are in a timing bind. People are generally most active in their careers between the ages of twenty five and forty five, exactly the same stage at which most people raise their children. Both roles are demanding. Both require long hours, generally during the same work hour time frame. The demands of caring for an unhealthy child can only increase this time bind. Employee time off due to Doctors/Psychologists appointments, home or hospital care will have to be increasingly factored into the H.R. Planners Strategies. To accommodate these employees" child care needs, the H.R. Planner will have to look at alternative work arrangements such as flextime, part-time work, telecommuting, job sharing, and in house child care programs.
The future impact of this study will occur these children begin to enter the workforce. H.R. Planners will have to develop strategies that will take into account that potentially one third of their workforce will have at least one chronic ailment.
