HR policies and processes need to evolve for a 'New Normal' of work

The world as we know it has changed forever and the events of the past few months have fundamentally altered the way in which organisations will operate in the future. The pandemic has not only disrupted businesses but also profoundly changed how we will approach and structure working models henceforth to deal with the new normal of work. 

Leading this charge from the front is the Human Resource(HR) department across all industries. At the onset of this pandemic, it became clear to HR functionaries that it was crucial to think on our feet. We’d have to tweak our systems and operations rather quickly to enable our workforce to function optimally in these unprecedented times.

The virtual work environment has taken centerstage and become all too real. Much to the consternation of the many naysayers who said it wasn't possible and who have long scoffed at such fundamental change, corporate India has suddenly accelerated towards adoption and embracing of new-age work technologies at breakneck pace. Flexible work-from-home policies which were discretely frowned upon and generally regarded as outliers and exceptions, intended for only certain functions and individuals, have been implemented at massive scale across the industry. The indications are that this is no temporary fix either, as organisations have invested large amounts of capital into the technology and infrastructure that is required to enable it. Perhaps more importantly, some of the foremost organisations have suddenly seen the light and have announced that the many benefits to the bottomline mean that it will be a permanent feature of the future of work. 

Curating the digital experience 

Technological advances make human resource transactions intuitive and informed, enabling organizational efficiency. HR teams are leading the change across the company's digital landscape through virtual hiring and onboarding sessions. While automation technologies like Machine Learning and NLP are being used to create seamless HR systems, the use of digital tools with healthcare partners to collaborate with doctors and mental health experts adds value during these exceptionally stressful times. Digital enterprise solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, etc. have enabled companies conduct webinars, video conferencing, cloud calling from anywhere without compromising privacy and security. Online skill development courses from Pluralsight, Hemsley Fraser, Udemy, and Coursera among others make it possible to build cohesive HR solutions that ensure maximum optimization and efficiency.

In an isolated digital world, be empathetic towards the person

Having said all of which, at the centre of all the technology and infrastructure, there still lies a person. One who is feeling troubled and disturbed by the tectonic shifts in the world. Isolation can impact individuals in myriad ways. The lockdown has had a significant impact on employee mental and physical health and it is crucial to address these challenges and adapt to the new environment quickly. Communication therefore has to become the bedrock of this cultural change. Having clear, transparent and relevant communication while being empathetic and pragmatic is the need of the hour.

It is telling that while technology and digital are enabling us to adapt to a new work reality, perhaps the biggest Human Resource responsibility in this day and age, remains the most ‘human’ of them all. Now more than ever, in these insecure times, is the time to stand by people and help them feel safe and valued.

So, even as we go digital, remember to always keep the human squarely at the centre of HR!

The article is authored by Priya Singh, Sr. Director, Human Resources, Lowe’s India