People issues are at the top of the strategic agenda for global companies. Driven by changing workforce demographics, increased globalisation, and a relentless focus on innovation, productivity, growth, and customer service, people issues are central to business performance. At the same time, the people agenda is changing. It is becoming more complex and sophisticated and is expected to change over the next three to five years.

Deloitte Consulting LLP recently undertook a major global survey on HR and people issues with the Economist Intelligence Unit where we looked at the difference in opinion between business leaders and HR on critical people issues. Our report, ‘Aligned at the Top’ outlines the findings.

All survey respondents agree that the role of HR will change within the next three to five years. Yet the question remains: Has HR been taken by surprise by changing demographics and a growing need for accurate employee data and strategic HR capability to tackle business leaders priorities? While the business executives’ people agenda is clear, the roles that business and HR leaders will play in addressing the company’s strategic people issues are not.  How non-HR executives approach the challenge -- and how HR responds -- will determine who takes the lead on managing People Strategy and HR Operations to address tomorrow’s most significant people issues.  Perhaps companies may be driven to split Human Resources' role to serve the mutually dependent but separate operational and strategic people management priorities.

• Download the survey results
• Read the press release here