Majority of Indian HR heads expect workforce to increase over next 1 year: Michael Page report

The survey said that half of the organisations in India rate talent management among their top three HR priorities for next twelve months

A large majority (about 66 per cent) of Indian HR leaders expect their workforce to increase over the next 12 months, compared to 48 per cent globally. A new study from leading specialist recruitment firm Michael Page said 12 per cent Indian organisations listed diversity and inclusion as a priority, compared to only 4 per cent globally.

The survey said that half of the organisations in India, South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) and Turkey rate talent management among their top three HR priorities for the next twelve months, compared to 33 per cent across all the countries in the survey. This is primarily due to rapid economic growth and a less established HR function that must evolve quickly for this upsurge to be sustainable.

The survey also revealed that tracking recruitment efficiency is more common in India, China, South East Asia and Turkey. This suggests that recruitment will become an even more pressing HR concern when the global economy picks up again. Interestingly, fairly contrasting countries like Germany and India share talent acquisition and recruitment as a top HR priority.

More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of senior HR leaders in India directly report to the highest levels of management (CEO/CFO/Chairman), while the global average stands at 63 per cent. It said that the Indian HR ecosystem has progressed from using diversity as a mere buzzword to factoring it in as a prerequisite to overall business success.

For Michael Page India, Senior Managing Director, Sebastien Hampartzoumian said, "The Indian market is advantageously placed to welcome HR's new role as a strategic partner. The future looks promising as India Inc. compels the HR function to transform and establish itself in the same league as its global counterparts."

Talent management ranks at the top of HR priorities, the survey said. Asked to identify their most pressing priorities, Indian HR leaders once again showcased their focus on talent. About 51 per emphasised on talent management, compared to 33 per cent globally. Similarly, 45 per cent said focus was on talent acquisition/recruitment, compared to 32 per cent globally.