A quick search of the term “new normal” will show a lot of results about how life has changed as a result of the Pandemic. Spanning virtually every industry and touching on numerous aspects of our daily life, it is safe to say that things will never return to the way they were before March 2020.
This isn’t a bad thing when it comes to the changes driven by our new reality
The remote work shift is one of the first things to come to mind when you think about COVID-19. According to a February report, 59 percent of U.S. workers who say their jobs can be done remotely are working from home.
4 ways to strengthen teams and boost productivity are included in hybrid work.
This is not the only workforce trend companies must contend with as they plan for the future, and there are three more important considerations shaping how people are working now and in the future
1 The company culture must reflect personal values.
The health and well-being of employees, their families, and the communities in which they operate has been prioritized by many companies in the past two years. People are the greatest corporate asset and this has been heralded as a welcome change by workplace experts. Companies will need to take their culture initiatives to the next level when we settle into our new reality.
Flexible schedules, physical and mental health assistance and similar support services are expected of employees. Social justice causes are becoming more important to Generation Z and they want companies to take a stand on these issues. To distinguish themselves, organizations must create a compelling company culture that does more than just say “About Us”
To ensure that the office population is reflective of our diverse society, you should prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion. Job candidates will increasingly research corporate donations when considering job offers and reject organizations that are aligned with a cause they don’t support.
The mission statement on the ‘About Us’ page isn’t enough to create a compelling company culture.
2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 The pressure to embrace ESG has increased.
There will be increased interest in environmental, social, and governance initiatives as employees place greater importance on working for an organization that is in line with their values.
Transitioning to net-zero emissions by mid-century is part of the plan. Employees will expect companies to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices in more tangible ways, such as partnering with transportation companies that use electric vehicles in place of the standard gas-guzzling SUV when arranging car travel.
Changing the food provided in company kitchens or served at events to be more low-carbon is one of the options being considered.
There is 3. It’s balancing productivity and security.
The expectation of productivity is one of the trends gaining traction. People expect to be able to access all the files and systems required to do their jobs effectively regardless of their location, thanks to the remote work and hybrid models. At least four different device types are predicted to be used by remote employees in the years to come, according to analysts.
There is a lot to be said about the productivity benefits of this approach, but it can lead to security headaches for IT staff. Increasing the number of devices connected to the network and accessing corporate files increases the attack surface. If some of these devices are also being used to access personal accounts or non-work sanctioned sites, additional vulnerabilities can emerge.
To balance the two important concerns of employee productivity and corporate security, companies must first take a step back and assess their primary risks. They should evaluate any new technology deployed to support the remote/ hybrid shift and audit the security of these applications. They can determine the best strategies for addressing these threats and balance employee productivity once they have visibility.
We are at a pivotal time in terms of how we choose to work and live, and how we want the intersection of these two worlds to look. Many of the trends taking shape today stand to deliver significant benefits to individuals and companies alike rather than pitting employee vs. employer. In our new reality, companies will be most likely to attract and retain top talent if they reactnimbly to the factors outlined above.
These organizations will be best prepared to exploit their people.
Do not try to recreate what was normal before the epidemic. There is a new report from Harvard Business Review that shows how to maintain momentum on digital transformation.
