One of the many changes to come of the current pandemic is the role of HR professionals. Now that companies all over the world have transitioned to working from home, will this change stick?
According to Dan Schawbel, future of work expert and managing partner of Workplace Intelligence, it will. Based on major companies like Twitter that have already committed to adopting remote working permanently, we can expect several other organizations to follow suit.
Another unexpected workplace change to anticipate in the future is how younger workers may have more issues working from home than their elder colleagues. A study found that 74% of Gen Z workers feel less informed about what is happening at their companies compared to the 53% of Gen X colleagues and 50% of baby boomers.
HR should keep in mind the negative impact remote working can have on some, particularly those with the “always on” mentality. While working from home has its own perks, some employees feel they are expected to be available around the clock for fear that they could be laid off or furloughed next. Encouraging established boundaries can be a good first step in ensuring workers stay mentally healthy and avoid burnout.
HR professionals will be essential in navigating the new workplace by keeping employees informed on infrastructure changes, leading new hiring initiatives, supporting employees in a post-pandemic world and focus on flexibility benefits and employee assistance programs.
