by Samantha Wright
Before the global pandemic, it was business as usual for HR professionals: overseeing department functions, managing recruits, as well as sourcing new employees and managing background checks.
During the lockdown period, many organisations adopted a ‘work from home’ policy. This was difficult for people who worked in the Australian entertainment and film industry and also posed a new challenge for how HR professionals should fully execute their roles, as total reliance on the Internet was necessary. While resuming back to work might be exciting, there are things that HR professionals should still put in mind to maintain the overall welfare of their employees.
- Ensuring a Safe Workplace Environment
The first thing employers should note is that working conditions have to be properly sanitised ahead of the first day of resumption. Government guidelines in terms of using alcohol-based disinfectants, placing them in common areas around the workplace, and ensuring that they’re refilled from time to time.
Furthermore, employers should not forget to rearrange their workplaces so that there’s at least one meter between employees. Employees and other staff members should always put their face masks on and practice proper etiquette.
- Evolving Work Structure
Strict workplace guidelines have been put in place because there’s still no clear-cut cure for the coronavirus. Since employees must observe social distancing, employers have to downsize to lower capacity. A workplace formally suitable for 100 employees might only be able to accommodate between 20 – 40 employees now.
Luckily, the pandemic has forced many companies to increase their adoption of remote work. Zoom became a necessity for many businesses. HR managers have to facilitate the rearrangement of work structures as well as defining the rotation of staff on a daily or monthly basis.
- Increasing Support
HR professionals are responsible for the physical and mental well-being of employees. This slow transition to work will come with major readjustments some employees might have a hard time with. Employers should host a series of health and wellbeing workshops; conduct fresh office ergonomic workstation assessments. And for employees whose family have been severely impacted by COVID-19, employers have to find ways to make their emotional transition seamless.
- Hiring
One of the primary functions of HR professionals is finding new talents that will keep the organisation alive. With the major disruption the pandemic has caused for many businesses, this period might mark the start of rebuilding. For now, interviews should be conducted online. Luckily, screening checks like a police check for individuals can be conducted online.
- Conclusion
It is no doubt that the global pandemic has changed how everyone, including HR professionals, approach work. However, constant adaptation is necessary to thrive. As a last note, HR professionals have to remain adaptable in these uncertain times so that they can fulfill their responsibilities efficiently.
