5 Ways the Pandemic is Redefining the Role of HR

Categories: Advice for HR Professionals, Recruitment Advice, Trends and Learning, Remote Hiring and Virtual Staffing
5 Ways the Pandemic is Redefining the Role of HR

COVID-19 continues to reshape the world we live in as we know it. More people are staying inside their homes, wearing a mask has turned into a symbol of mutual respect, and cashless transactions are gaining more traction by the minute. But, apart from personal lifestyle changes, this pandemic has also influenced the way employees and employers approach work.

With a vaccine still under development, governments have implemented lockdowns to maintain the health of the public. With transportation limited and establishments closed, businesses have been forced to make significant changes and adopt a work-from-home setup. 

Working remotely has become the standard, and the way you handle your responsibilities as a Human Resources (HR) manager would change, as well. As you make the shift towards remote management, your recruitment and employee engagement approach should also adjust to the new normal. 

To help your company thrive during this period, let’s discuss how the pandemic is redefining the role of HR.

1. Work closely with the Finance and IT teams

It’s no secret that HR professionals wear multiple hats. Apart from maintaining employee well-being and performance, they also handle administrative responsibilities, such as employee compensation and providing the necessary work tools. 

Since they no longer have the advantage of interacting in an office, HR managers will need to communicate with other departments proactively.

Regularly staying in touch with your finance and IT teams is the best way to close the distance. In case an employee encounters technical difficulties or has some questions regarding his/her health benefits, working closely with other teams will ensure that all concerns are taken care of.

2. Prioritize work culture now more than ever

Regardless if you’re adopting a remote working set up or not, establishing a company culture of excellence will be vital to your success. Since you won’t be able to oversee all of your employees directly, you’ll just have to trust that they’re fulfilling their duties at home. This is where your company’s values will come in handy.

It should be evident by now that your organization’s culture can impact team dynamics and individual work ethic. Whether you’re in the office or not, sustaining it is crucial since it will guide your employees whenever they’re faced with sensitive situations. Things can go wrong in a remote work setup, but work culture can help employees stay happy, fulfilled, and productive.

3. The rise of automation

Given the financial impact of the pandemic, more companies are starting to harness the power of automation. Purchasing task management applications, email automation software, and other HR applications are lucrative investments since they provide effective solutions at cost-efficient prices. If you want to boost your daily productivity, you’ll need to be proficient with these tools.

When it comes to responsibilities such as recruitment, automating your processes will save you a ton of time and effort. Getting these simple tasks out of the way will allow you to manage your hours more effectively while letting you focus on other important matters. At the same time, investing in automation software can help cut down on costs and build a workforce strategy.

4. Restrategize for remote engagement

Even though working from home provides convenience and safety for employees, it also comes with its own set of drawbacks. Repeating the same things every day, being isolated from other people, and other emotional challenges may get the best of your employees and affect their mental health

Taking this into consideration, you’ll need to be creative and strategize for remote engagement. Keeping everyone engaged and happy with the company is one of your biggest roles as an HR manager. Studies show that highly engaged employees produce better results and are more likely to stay in your company. 

Regularly sending out survey forms, conducting virtual hangout sessions, and giving employees an avenue to air out their concerns are simple yet effective solutions you should consider.

5. Comply with new rules for remote work

Since your company’s set up has changed, you’ll need to put new policies in place. Apart from taking note of new government regulations, you’re primarily responsible for translating old policies and implementing them into your new setup. This will maintain order in your daily operations, and with a sound communication strategy, everyone is sure to stay in the loop.

Embrace the New Normal

Thanks to the emergence of communication platforms and remote working tools, many employers can now provide a work-from-home setup. Telecommuting is on the rise, and even after the pandemic has passed, you can expect companies to transition to this arrangement permanently.

This could mean a change in company dynamics and interactions, so your role as a manager must also adapt to the situation. By understanding the different ways the pandemic is redefining the role of HR, it will be easier for you to thrive amid this difficult period. In case you need any help with your HR processes, our recruitment agency in Manila will be glad to address all your needs.