{"id":70408,"date":"2022-11-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-12T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=70408"},"modified":"2022-11-04T12:32:48","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T10:32:48","slug":"hr-support-economic-uncertainty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/hr-support-economic-uncertainty\/","title":{"rendered":"How HR can lead businesses and people through economic uncertainty"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow HR can lead businesses and people through economic uncertainty\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-8 col-lg-4 entry-header__image\">\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"entry-header__thumbnail js-hero-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"entry-header__thumbnail-image\" alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290674359-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-11-13T00:00:00+02:00\">November 13, 2022<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary 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25t24.5 60q0 36-24.5 61t-60.5 25-60.5-25-24.5-61q0-35 24.5-60t60.5-25m-512 256q36 0 60.5 25t24.5 60q0 36-24.5 61t-60.5 25-60.5-25-24.5-61q0-35 24.5-60t60.5-25m512 256q36 0 60.5 25t24.5 60q0 36-24.5 61t-60.5 25-60.5-25-24.5-61q0-35 24.5-60t60.5-25\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__icon social-share-button__icon--copy\" hidden>\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"svg-icon\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 1024 1024\"><path d=\"M698 85.5q-45 0-88.5 17.5T531 154.5l-430 431q-3 2-4.5 4.5t-3.5 5.5q-1 3-1.5 6t-.5 6q0 4 .5 7t1.5 6 3 5.5a54 54 0 0 0 4 4.5q3 3 5.5 4.5t5.5 2.5q3 2 6 2.5t6 .5 6.5-1 6.5-2 5.5-3a54 54 0 0 0 4.5-4l430-431q51-50 122-50t121 50q51 51 51 122t-51 121l-406 406q-26 27-62.5 27t-63.5-27q-26-26-26-62.5t26-62.5l328-328q3-2 4.5-4.5t3.5-5.5q1-3 1.5-6t.5-6q0-4-.5-7t-1.5-6-3-5.5a54 54 0 0 0-4-4.5q-3-3-5.5-4.5t-5.5-2.5q-3-2-6-2.5t-6-.5-6.5 1-6.5 2-5.5 3a54 54 0 0 0-4.5 4l-328 328q-44 44-44 107.5t44 108.5q45 44 108.5 44t107.5-44l406-407q35-34 52-77 17-44 17-89t-17-89q-17-43-52-78-34-34-77.5-51.5T698 85.5\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/jessicafuhl\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/Jess-fuhl.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Jessica Leyshon<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uncertainty is the only certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This might sound bleak, but it\u2019s the current reality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several shocks have hit a world economy already weakened by the pandemic: higher-than-expected global inflation, which is causing tighter financial conditions, as well as additional negative effects on supply chains from the Ukraine-Russia war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organisations are struggling to understand the new normal as the immediate future remains unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With any downturn, business leaders are likely to be asked to shift their focus from growth to profitability and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/creating-financial-security-with-cash-flow-forecasting\/\">cash flow<\/a>, while maintaining strict cost control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, workers are dealing with rising living costs, skyrocketing energy bills, and the highest inflation rates in decades, all of which have a direct impact on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/strategies-for-creating-a-mentally-healthy-workplace\/\">employee wellbeing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact,&nbsp;54% of South Africans&nbsp;are&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wealth\/538216\/south-african-consumers-are-running-out-of-money-before-the-end-of-the-month-and-salaries-are-shrinking\/\">unable to make their money last until the end<\/a>&nbsp;of the month, and&nbsp;57% say that&nbsp;financial stress has had a significant effect on their mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees want to make up for the rising cost of living by asking for pay increases. At the same time, company executives may be under pressure to halt hiring and cut headcount costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/sa-businesses-showing-resilience-in-a-time-of-massive-disruption-a-cfos-view\/\">Business resilience<\/a> has never been more important as organisations navigate ongoing uncertainty and unpredictability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As caretakers of the organisation, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/support-employees-work-evolves\/\">HR can support the business and its employees<\/a> in a variety of ways while also building business resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we will look at five ways HR can respond during a recession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s what we cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li><a href=\"#tightly\">Manage fixed costs tightly<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#incentives\">Increase total compensation by implementing variable cost incentives<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#flexiblity\">Provide flexibility as a financial incentive<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#experience\">Personalise the employee experience<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#wellbeing\">Focus on financial wellbeing<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"t&quot;ightly&quot;\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Manage fixed costs tightly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your people are your biggest asset and also your biggest cost. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/the-great-resignation-how-hr-can-keep-top-talent\/\">Keeping your best people<\/a> will pay off, though, because they could be the key to making it through the stormy economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, think about how much it will cost to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/4-recruitment-strategies-to-up-your-hiring-game\/\">hire and train new people<\/a>, and ask yourself if you can really afford to lose your best people to competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re worried that some of your best employees might be at risk of being laid off or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/quiet-quitting-how-to-curb-the-trend\/\">quiet quitting<\/a>, look at your data to see if you can make a strong case for keeping them on. Any key performance indicators (KPIs) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/you-cant-manage-what-you-dont-measure-how-hr-can-future-proof-with-people-analytics\/\">statistics on their productivity<\/a> could be helpful here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, if their requests for a raise will make them leave if turned down, can you be smart and offer other incentives, like a four-day work week, a training course, or a qualification, if fixed costs are high?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focus on productivity, make sure you&#8217;re paying for performance, and look for ways to sustainably boost employee productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"incentives\">2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Increase total compensation by implementing variable cost incentives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During rough economic times, companies often stop giving pay raises, but employees will still look for ways to make more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use bonuses, stock grants, and other incentives to make up for lower base salaries, and give gift cards or the equivalent (company-branded clothing, for example) to keep people motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be open and honest about pay and benefits. Explain how the grading system works and how wage levels and salary increases are decided. If employees know what&#8217;s going on, they&#8217;re more likely to do their jobs well than if they think they&#8217;re being kept in the dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&#8217;t forget to remind employees of the benefits your company already offers. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-manage-your-hybrid-workforce\/\">hybrid or remote working<\/a> can help offset the high cost of fuel. You should also let them know about any discount platforms your company is part of that offer cheaper consumer goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly, think about wellness incentives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/the-ins-and-outs-of-leave-management\/\">offer more paid time off<\/a>, and don&#8217;t forget that recognition and spot awards are other ways to recognise your employees for their hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"flexibility\">3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Provide flexibility as a financial incentive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the people in charge have put a lid on costs and financial incentives, you might feel like you can&#8217;t do anything, but think outside the box and remember that flexibility is a strong bargaining chip for most employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some employees would be very interested in a shorter work week or the chance to work part-time, like reducing their working days to four instead of five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the same way, unpaid sabbaticals can be the perfect way to get an employee who wants to travel or take some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/a-guide-to-leave-management-best-practices\/\">unpaid time off<\/a> to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though remote and hybrid work seems like the norm, your company might not be letting you do it as much as it could. Check to see if there are ways to give employees more freedom in how they work that could be used as an incentive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"experience\">4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Personalise the employee experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HR can understand the sentiment across the organisation by paying attention to how inflation, food, and fuel prices are affecting employees. Then you can decide if you need to take action as an organisation, group, or individual to reduce stress and keep employees motivated, engaged, and productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, depending on how stressed they are, individuals may need to be managed in a slightly different way to keep them motivated and interested, so it&#8217;s a good idea to give each employee a unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Change the way you manage and use situational leadership when needed to fit the needs of individuals, teams, or squads, and talk to people early and often. Being open and honest about how the company is doing will make employees feel like they are valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personalised employee experiences can be created by giving employees more freedom in making decisions, when possible, and by creating a culture of listening, so you can act on feedback and let people know what needs to be done or what suggestions have been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, think about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/why-business-flow-is-essential-for-success\/\">giving people challenging tasks, chances to grow, and important and meaningful work<\/a>, as well as automating low-value or boring tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wellbeing\">5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Focus on financial wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having a financial wellbeing policy that fits into your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-to-create-a-holistic-approach-to-employee-wellbeing\/\">overall wellbeing strategy<\/a> will show that your company is willing to help employees with any worries or concerns they might have about money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be as easy as pointing your employees in the direction of independent money and debt advice, making sure they know about all the benefits you already offer, and normalising conversations about money worries at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than half of middle-income&nbsp;earners in South Africa&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wealth\/538216\/south-african-consumers-are-running-out-of-money-before-the-end-of-the-month-and-salaries-are-shrinking\/\">spend their&nbsp;salary&nbsp;within five days of getting it<\/a>, and 59% of their money goes to paying off debt.&nbsp;However, some of your employees might be able to plan, save, and make better long-term decisions if you let them know where they can get free, confidential, and independent money advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look at ways that your own organisation can increase financial support to staff. Some employers are considering commuter subsidies, loans to get employees through hard times, payday advances, help with keeping up with pension and insurance payments, and counselling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Every downturn offers a chance to innovate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there was one thing that 2020 taught us, it was how to deal with uncertainty in a world that is always changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">HR leaders stepped up to the challenge and led their companies through the pandemic, showing that they could be change leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/human-resources\/hr-agility\/\">a recent study by Sage<\/a>, 72% of HR leaders said that the global pandemic has helped them show their value and help people understand what HR does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smart new ways of working, adaptability, flexibility, and business resilience are just some of the good things that have come out of the last two years of business innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current economic downturn is the same. It gives HR and business leaders a chance to keep coming up with new ideas and make positive changes. Some might try to make big, strategic moves, while others might try to keep things simple and focus on low-cost solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter which camp you&#8217;re in, sitting still is not an option. Agility is important, and HR is in a great place to lead the charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Better prepared for shifting priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As HR and people leaders, it&#8217;s important that you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/ebook-retaining-the-human-touch-in-the-metaverse\/\">change the culture of your organisation to fit this new reality<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People&#8217;s relationships with their employers and co-workers will be affected in different ways by the ongoing economic turmoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are just a few of the tools you have at your disposal to not only help your employees but also build an organisation that is adaptable, agile, flexible, and resilient, and that can quickly respond to ongoing uncertainty and shifting priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/products\/sage-300-people\/\">agile, flexible HR platform in the cloud<\/a>, you can make quick decisions based on data, make it easy to customise employee experiences for individuals and teams, and keep up with changing global policies and local compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When things aren&#8217;t clear, it&#8217;s always smart to be ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That much is certain.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice enewsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/hr-payroll\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHR &amp; Payroll\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-76793 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership tag-employee-benefits tag-hr-payroll business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Woman holding tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-11-05T09:00:00+02:00\">November 5, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/employment-equity-reporting\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmployment equity reporting: What employers need to do before the 15 January deadline\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tDesignated employers are being assessed on their Employment Equity progress during the 2026 reporting cycle. Learn how to check your workforce data, targets, supporting evidence, and report before you submit.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-76752 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership tag-employee-benefits tag-employing-people-for-the-first-time tag-hr-payroll business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-hybrid-and-remote-working\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man stands in front of the Sage glow line in front of a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-688x768.jpg 688w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-726x810.jpg 726w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-10-28T14:30:52+02:00\">October 28, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is remote and hybrid working?: How can you make it fair and effective?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-76687 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-business-management tag-coaching tag-hr-payroll tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/manager-burnout-hr-support\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-684x384.jpeg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man stands in front of the Sage glow line in front of a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-684x384.jpeg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-1440x810.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-30T11:43:12+02:00\">September 30, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhy are managers under pressure and what can HR do about it?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-76618 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-business-strategy tag-employee-benefits tag-hr-payroll business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-employee-experience\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A woman stands in front of the Sage glowline with a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-09T15:29:07+02:00\">September 9, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is employee experience and why is HR struggling to deliver it?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-73705 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership tag-business-management tag-employee-benefits tag-hr-payroll tag-news-insights tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-employee-self-service\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Woman in audience raising her hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-03T09:00:00+02:00\">September 3, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tEmpower your team with employee self-service\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With many employees worried about finances and what the future holds, we look at the role HR can play to support 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