I was recently reading the Strategic Human Resources Management (SHRM) Workplace Forecast Report for 2011 and couldn’t help but notice how similar the issues are being faced by my HR counterparts in North America. We often make the mistake of getting so caught up in our own affairs that it is easy to forget that what we are facing here in Bermuda with respect to employment, staff challenges and the economy are being echoed elsewhere/ everywhere.The following are a few highlights from the report. If you wish to read it in its entity, please go to www.shrm.org/Research/FutureWorkplaceTrends.“The actions HR professionals say their organisations now are taking also are a change from those of previous years, when the emphasis was frequently on training and education. The impact of the economy is clear in the top actions HR professionals reported many focused on how to get the most from employees given financial and other constraints.The top actions included linking performance to company goals; increasing expectations of employee productivity (perhaps because of hiring constraints that are making it necessary for fewer employees to do more with less).The majority of HR professionals say they already have implemented policies to protect data from identity theft and most already have or will be implementing wellness programmes in their organisations to help deal with rising health care costs and to help employees avoid or manage chronic illnesses. In spite of the recent recession, many also reported that they are or will be investing more in training and development to boost skills.Looking ahead, many HR professionals say they will be focusing on retention as the economy improves, and at least some of these strategies are likely to feature policies aimed at increasing workplace flexibility.Kelly Francis is the founder of Performance Solutions Limited a professional services firm specialising in human resource consulting and immigration management. Contact Kelly on kelly_francis[AT]psolutions.bm, or visit the website www.psolutions.bm