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Another year has gone by, and the time for making new resolutions has arrived. From being healthier and living better to being more kind – the goals are lofty for many.  As I get back into the swing of things, I reflect on what I live and breathe every day: employee recognition.

Over the last few months, Engage2Excel, along with several top recognition companies had serious concern. Why? It was over the repeal of Section 274(j) of the Internal Revenue Code, which has been in place for 31 years and contains rules on the tax treatment of “employee achievement awards.” A change that could bring devastating results to the reward and recognition industry.

HR leaders have always been challenged to manage dual responsibility for operational and strategic HR functions. Meeting the day-to-day needs of the organization in areas such as recruitment, comp and benefits administration and risk management must be integrated with initiatives for improving engagement, productivity and retention. In times of high employement and  economic expansion, balancing responsibility for operational and strategic functions takes on elevated importance, as attracting, motivating and retaining talent becomes the critical enabler for growth.

Many consultants and analysts would have us believe that the future will bring fundamental changes in how we do our jobs. That, of course, is what keeps them in business. However, what changes can HR leaders realistically expect when it comes to managing workforce engagement? And, to what extent is the past a prologue to the future? We put these questions to Engage2Excel’s Chief Scientific Officer, Jack Wiley, Ph.D., who has three decades of experience in conducting engagement surveys and analyzing global trends. You’ll find a summary of Jack’s answers in our latest article, The Future of Workforce Engagement.