Dive Brief:

• HR teams with a C-suite-level leader tend to be more forward-thinking and productive, a new survey from Betterworks shows. The most impactful HR departments have a CHRO who reports directly to the CEO, said the HR software firm.
• The study, the Betterworks State of Continuous Performance Management Survey, also revealed that the survey's 800 respondents (made up of HR specialists and people managers in non-HR roles) viewed HR in their organizations as "leading forward-thinking human capital management (HCM) practices and technology investments." Respondents also said that a culture that prioritizes feedback binds together workers, managers, HR and C-level executives.
• HR teams with C-suite representation were 24% more likely to agree that an important part of HR's role is ensuring that managers are having key conversations with employees. They also were 20% more likely to conduct performance reviews more frequently than once a year.

Dive Insight:

HR teams may be more empowered with a C-suite-level executive who has the CEO's support for HCM initiatives. Betterworks' survey results demonstrate just how powerful a force HR can be in setting forward-thinking strategies for a range of HR functions, including recruiting and hiring; employee engagement and retention; and training and development.

HR's ability to serve as a strategic business partner may be particularly important in a tight labor market, and CEOs have a role to play in achieving that. "Forward-thinking CEOs understand that aligning, developing and continuously motivating their workforce is crucial to achieving and sustaining competitive advantage," Betterworks' CEO Doug Dennerline said in a press release.

"They demonstrate this commitment by hiring strong HR leaders who report directly to them and support them in creating an outstanding employee experience for maximum impact," he added.