HR is evolving from staff administration to acting as peers with
senior management as an organization are reconsidering their business models as
remote working has become entirely normal, and predictably it will not be the same
as it was before the heath crisis.
HR managers can guide employees safely towards the new
normal with a strategy that must be deployed as employees return to their physical
offices and essentials must be established to emerge successfully from the heath
crisis.
HR as a Strategic Partner of the Organization.
HR managers has become to special role for employees, from
first responders and trusted advisors to coaches and motivators. And also be
a strategic partners for the organization management.
Cornerstones of the New Normal
Developing New Capabilities
As working remotely will be entirely normal in the
future, employee flexibility, adaptability, and teamwork will be of importance to
and organization. HR practices should drive the need to develop these skills.
Physical and Mental Health
With remote working environments, employees’ physical and
mental health will continue to be highly important for HR departments and
handling issues such as online fatigue will be new occupational hassle for HR
departments.
Diversity and Inclusion
The ability to work from anywhere will increasingly open up
new job opportunities for culturally diverse employees all over the world. And HR
needs to think about how teams made up of very diverse employees can
collaborate effectively and smoothly.
Back Into the Office
As employees gradually returns to regular office work, it won’t
be the same as before. Small talk with a face mask, Hand sanitizers next to the
coffee machine, and etc. will be common thing in offices. The pandemic will impact
on how people collaborate at a fundamental level, including office design. For this
HR managers need to prepare and develop strategies for getting employees back
into the physical office.
Applicable Strategy
Hygiene precaution
- Provide adequate supplies of sanitizer and face mask.
- Ensure that desks, light switches, door handles, etc. are sanitized regularly.
- Provide for alternatives to employees using public transportation (e.g. bicycle and scooter rental services, car sharing)
- Develop hygiene guidelines for handwashing and social distancing.
Reorganizing the office
- Decide on how many employees are allowed to work in the office at any one time
- Organize shared spaces such as meeting rooms suitable for pocket meetings with small groups.
- Decide on what departments or teams will return first.
- Decide on who should return to the office right from the start.
