It is to be remembered that firms should continuously explore new ways to adapt and tackle the COVID-19 crisis as only those firms which show resilience and adaptability during this critical juncture will be able to sustain themselves in the long-run.
The COVID-19 lockdown has made ‘Work from home’ as an inevitable option. We should turn this crisis into an opportunity to focus on performance and achieve outcome-oriented results. Employees are the most valuable assets for the company and can make a tangible impact on business outcomes. As they say, “Results are the only true sign of excellence.”
The current crisis underscores the opportunity to not only increase the efficiency and accuracy of your HR Function but also enhance employee engagement. HR tools can help you increase the productivity of employees and enable smooth and hassle-free operations. This can have a major impact on businesses’ bottom line.
Below are some of the activities which can empower HR to empower remote employees as well as cope with the new normal amidst the lockdown:
Keeping the Organization Agile and Productive
One of the key factors for any organization to stay agile and productive is collaboration. Research has shown that a team that works together collaboratively reports higher productivity and agility. While many employees are working from home these days, there are a few things that can ensure products such as working in smaller teams, regular cadence calls at least twice a day, able leadership which focusses on improving business outcomes. It is recommended to break the task into small pieces and earmark specific teams for specific tasks.
Looking at a positive side, remote working will lead to a reduction in cost per employee as per facilities cost and increase in flexibility to employees.
Manage Your WFH Employees On the Go
Geo-Fencing Mobile-based Punch - in /Punch – out will make sure that attendance is marked for the day employees have worked on and gets you digitally connected workforce. It enables businesses to ensure performance and productivity. Along with focusing on employee efficiency, businesses should also be mindful of employees' working hours. Often, work from home leads to distorted work-life balance. It is thus equally important for businesses to keep employees motivated and engaged through a series of fun activities such as online games, quiz and sharing anecdotes.
Keep Your Employees in The Loop
The two- way flow of communication is a must during this unprecedented time. It is on the onus of enterprises to keep every employee in the loop regarding emergencies, key announcements to make him feel connected with the organization.
Upskill Yourself
“Keep Training and Keep Learning Until You Get it Right” Learning can never go waste and you can certainly use tools like learning management system to study new courses, learn new domains and expand your array. With the learning management system in place, you can ensure contactless knowledge and information dissemination. It is the responsibility of the HR function to foster a culture of learning by encouraging focused distance learning now.
Increase Recognition
“During periods of disruption, employees’ desire for being recognized for their contribution increases by about 30%,” says Kropp. (Source: Gartner) Improve your employee productivity and motivation by putting them in the spotlight. Reward your employees to help them stay motivated during the lockdown.
Reach out to your teams and show that you care
Empathy is the key here. A responsible organization should be humane and sensitive to employees’ wellness. In the time of crises, employees want to be heard. Use simple surveys to ask specific questions related to their concerns, issues amid lockdown and show that you care for them. Remote working can take a toll on the mental health of employees. One may consider collaboration opportunities with healthcare facilities to enable employees to cope with the new normal.
It is to be remembered that firms should continuously explore new ways to adapt and tackle the COVID-19 crisis as only those firms which show resilience and adaptability during this critical juncture will be able to sustain themselves in the long-run.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this publishing house