During the coronavirus crisis, the HR function has taken on a leading role. From understanding the changing Government guidance, to overseeing the move from office-based working to remote working, HR has been at the forefront. It has also been responsible for looking after and supporting employee’s wellbeing.
Almost three-quarters of HR professionals say the pandemic has increased their value in the eyes of the business, according to research by software company Sage People.
Here are some of the most important ways HR can lead, partner and drive for the best in their companies:
Leadership
Brilliant leadership will ensure success for organisations. HR has a key role to play in developing leaders, ensuring they are successful and holding them accountable. Leaders require new and enhanced skills in managing from a distance, motivating employees, providing calm and clarity, aligning work among team members and building community.
Talent
A company’s success is based on having talent in the right roles at the right times, and HR is integral to this process. Managing talent through the pandemic requires fundamental shifts. At the same time some parts of the company may be shuttering, other parts of the company are ramping up. HR helps ensure talent contributions and based on this, it is nothing less than an engine for the company’s success.
Engagement
Engagement is tough to ensure when people are working from home because the physical workplace cannot bring people together or contribute to their focus. HR can recommend best practices for engagement through all kinds of creative approaches. HR can also keep a finger on the pulse of engagement through quick surveys and the creation of feedback.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
The pandemic has disproportionately affected diverse populations and HR has a role here as well ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes educating the organisation, understanding the realities of diverse experiences, and taking proactive steps to equalise the playing field. HR can bring diverse voices to the table, to decision-making processes and provide equal access to opportunities.
Wellbeing And Work-Life
Wellbeing is not just about physical wellness, but also about cognitive and emotional health. The care companies provide in these areas is good for people, but also good for the business since people with a greater sense of holistic wellbeing can contribute more fully and bring their best to their work.
The pandemic has expanded empathy for work-life and this view renews the opportunity to offer flexible working, child care and additional work-life options. Most companies report they will continue some level of working from home and HR must support options for where people work, when they work and even the extent to which they are supported in their home offices with furniture or ergonomic solutions.
Administering HR Systems
HR is also the keeper of employment, pay and benefits systems. HR departments can ensure empathy and equitable processes when layoffs are unavoidable. In addition, the best HR departments have implemented plans to offer increased flexibility, giving employees the chance to change work status (part-time to full-time for example) or shift retirement plans.
Overall, HR is in a fundamentally influential role to ensure success of companies through and beyond the pandemic. Taking the lead in reimagining the company, developing talent strategies, addressing wellbeing and work-life, administering HR systems and facilitating re-entry to the office are all critical and uniquely skilled contributions HR can make.
If you have any questions on any of the above, please get in touch with the office: sally.phillips@wardwilliams.co.uk or call 01932 830664.