Biggest Hurdle for HR, post COVID 19?

One of the major impacts of COVID 19 in the corporate sector is the transition to remote working. Many companies that once never thought of working from outside of the office premises are working from home. A lot of companies, in fact, are thinking of having a work from home policy in place while others are considering reducing the number of on-site employees for good, as it is beneficial for both company and employee. Companies save costs in terms of office space, infrastructure, electricity etc. while employees save time and money commuting while at the same time enjoying the benefits of working from the comfort of their homes. This poses a fresh set of challenges for the HR. Let’s read on:-

Communication – With some of the companies switching to permanent remote working mode or having less number of staff on –site, the onus is on the HR to ensure that workflow isn’t hampered with people working across locations. Smooth and regular communication is key and it is up to the HR to ensure that employees don’t feel a sense of exclusion just because they don’t have access to the social milieu of the organization.

Maintains Employee Morale – Everyone is going through a difficult time and people still don’t know what the future holds for them. Employees working from home are facing fresh set of challenges, difficulty in communication, difficulty in balancing work and personal life etc. Therefore, it is natural for them to feel stressed , depressed. It is important for the leadership, now more than ever to support and motivate their employees. HR should ensure that employees are well-connected and have necessary equipment and devices necessary to work effectively.

Boredom – Remote working comes with its own set of challenges especially if the employees are not used to it. With the usual office banters, chit-chats, tea-breaks or lunch breaks with colleagues missing, it is common for employees to feel bored. The brainstorming sessions, meetings etc. give birth to creativity and innovation which is missing when working from home. Therefore, it is up to the HR and the management to have regular virtual meetings and interactive sessions with colleagues so that employees don’t feel bored and are on the toes even when they are not in office.

Recruitment of Retention of Talent – This is especially true for industries which have been worst hit by the crisis like Hospitality, Travel, Retail and many companies in various other sectors. Employees are likely to turn to other sectors that are more resilient and stable and those that have not been as badly affected by the crisis. There is a sudden need among employees to shift their career field also.

The pandemic has posed a fresh set of challenges for the HR. However, HR teams across companies can be seen rising up to the challenge and emerging stronger than ever. There is good in every evil.

Post by Prabha Rajan - CEO at HR Inc Consultants www.hrincconsultants.com