Role of HR professionals to face the post-pandemic

Figure 1:source (SHRM, 2020)

Human resource professionals, like many other occupations, have had to adjust to the new reality of COVID-19 and stay-at-home rules. HR executives have shown amazing adaptability in adjusting to this new work environment. HR professionals must plan furloughs and layoffs in addition to providing emotional and mental health support to employees (Campbell, 2020).

The role of human resources has shifted dramatically in recent months and will continue to do so. Here’s how:

Preparing for extended work-from-home

Many companies have committed to working remotely until the end of the year and into 2021. For the majority of an organization's personnel, working remotely is a new experience for HR leaders, managers, and employees. Human resources, in collaboration with IT, should first ensure employees have everything they need to be productive while working remotely for extended periods. Ensure the company's network can manage extended work-from-home. Coordinate with IT to help train on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other video platforms.

Supporting employee mental health

People's reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic have varied throughout the outbreak. Some people are eager to go out and resume their normal lives, while others are more concerned about the following steps. As the pandemic fades, these fears will fade, but there will be long-term consequences that human resource directors must plan for. They'll have to assist employees with mental health benefits information and utilization, such as health insurance, telehealth, FSAs, and EAPs. This has always been a part of a human resource professional's job description, but it will become even more important in the months ahead.

Conclusion

 Despite working from home for several months now, managing a team remotely is no easy feat. Leadership needs to set expectations for output while creating a virtual community of support and cultivating culture remotely. Leaders will lean on HR teams to help them coordinate and create standard operating procedures to help employees work effectively and efficiently remotely, as well as help managers be communicative and supportive with their employees during this demanding time. The last several months have been a world no one has witnessed before, and as we settle into this new reality of work, the roles of human resources leaders will continue to evolve to ensure employees remain productive and engaged.

References

Campbell, S., 2020. New role of HR professionals. [Online]
Available at: https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/features/six-ways-role-hr-professionals-will-adjust-post-pandemic
[Accessed 17 December 2021].

Courtney, E., 2021. The Benefits of Working From Home: Why The Pandemic Isn’t the Only Reason to Work Remotely. [Online]
Available at: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/
[Accessed 17 December 2021].

SHRM, 2020. SHRM. [Online]
Available at: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/summer2020/pages/default.aspx
[Accessed 17 December 2021].

Tannenbaum, S., 2020. Managing teamwork in the face of pandemic: evidence-based tips, New York, US: Group for Organizational Effectiveness.

 


Comments

  1. E127918December 16, 2021 at 11:53 AM

    The coronavirus outbreak has caused chaos on people's lives and businesses, and human resources (HR) is critical to assisting businesses and supporting changes within the organization. Through a forward-thinking HR strategy, firms must rethink, reimagine, and reassess how they develop talent, deliver services, and strengthen their organizations how they deliver the most appealing work experience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 16, 2021 at 10:27 PM

    Prepareing work from home and how to support employees in a critical situation you have described nicely. We all have past experience during covid situation.
    Priyankara.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Manoj JudeDecember 16, 2021 at 10:57 PM

    All workers/employees has to adapt to new normalcy, which stresses more on "working from Home" concept. this is a useful publish

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kamal NayanarangaDecember 17, 2021 at 7:32 AM

    HR managers must do difficult work under difficult circumstances as face-to-face collaboration is replaced by e-mail and videoconferencing. During the pandemic, HR professionals are concerned about their employees' health and well-being. HR professionals are worried not only about their employees' health and well-being during the pandemic, but also about processing paperwork and providing comfort to the millions of people who have been laid off or furloughed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. D.L.A Sanjeewa.130887December 17, 2021 at 11:20 PM

    Employee well-being is directly effect to the company outcome and panic situation. Also mostly lives are getting on stagnation and chaos. Over here HR have big role to make people understand and acknowledge them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Manoj JudeDecember 18, 2021 at 6:16 AM

    It had been a challenging time for all the companies/establishment HR sector employees where many sick, attention needed, troubled and frustrated staff needs are more higher than ever. hence, HR guys need more strength, skills and know-how to handle these staff during pandemic

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sachini MahaulpathaDecember 18, 2021 at 8:27 AM

    The most valuable resource in every company is its people. Therefore, the role of HR professionals plays an important role in an organisation. Thank you for bringing this interesting story to our attention. A very good read.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Naradha SenanayakeDecember 18, 2021 at 7:31 PM



    As far as my concern, we are still in the pandemic, as there is no clue which proves that we have overcome the situation, but are in the process of tackling it down. So with the use of the advancement of technology HR should prepare new strategies to operate the organization without fail and to counter the issues that may come out which were never before, within maybe 01 to 02 years at least.Thank you for discussing timly topic.

    ReplyDelete

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