The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes, especially in the world of work. Teleworking has been integrated in most companies and constant adaptation to different measures has been forced. However, how should we look forward to the return to “normal” when all of this is behind us?
Mental health of employees
One word will still be on everyone’s lips even after the majority of the population is vaccinated: adaptation. Employers have had to adapt to all the health measures put in place by governments, but when everything will come back to normal, employers will have to adapt to their employees and their needs. “Some employees may have experienced an increased workload or have developed a taste for teleworking, while others may have lost their jobs. When faced with a return to a workplace that differs from the one they left, some employees may experience feelings of anxiety, grief or loss as they think about how their world has changed. […] As an employer, you can expect increased stress and tension as employees return to work.” (Homewood)
Many may have generated a great deal of stress and fear during the pandemic and returning to work may generate more. Differences in opinion about COVID-19 may also have an impact on employees’ working relationships.
Homewood provides mental health services to Canadians. The company offers the following solutions for employers:
- Restore employee morale and be sensitive to their concerns.
- Maintain regular communication.
- Recognize the increased uncertainty and stress that employees are likely to experience.
- Be as clear as possible and encourage employees to ask questions to their manager and/or leaders.
Employers need to see their employees as humans first. They need to encourage a calm and collaborative atmosphere and show their employees that they are there for them.
Is teleworking here to stay?
At the Les essentiels pour une GRH d’Impact! event by the Culture club, Annie Boilard, HR trainer and speaker, said that telework is here to stay. However, she explained that the past year is only a sample of what telework can bring to the workplace and that it will improve over time as it adapts.
For her part, Anne-Sophie Michel, entrepreneur, testifies that it is necessary to integrate the human being at the heart of the changes. People are unpredictable, which is why questioning and reassuring them is necessary to return to work progressively and well.
Vicky Jobin, facilitator and trainer, emphasizes that there is a need for a balance of control and confidence. Employees will want to keep the flexibility that the pandemic offered them. Even if face-to-face work gradually resumes, teleworking and flexible hours can continue to be part of your business by adapting to the needs and desires of your employees. The hybrid mode will be a priority. You should not be afraid to experiment. A human manager allows retention, one of the biggest issues today, explains Suzie Fortin, manager and coach.
Jessie Fortin of Défis RH also said in an interview with Le Mag: “Some will be afraid of the virus while others will prefer to continue working in their living room with slippers on! We will therefore have to work on hybrid solutions that will put each employee at ease. Team cohesion is at stake. The pandemic will have allowed us to discover new ways of working. Let’s combine the best of each method and reinvent the world of work together! Networking meetings can also be renewed by avoiding travel and prioritizing the virtual. An adaptation is necessary, but, by seeing the positive side, some good can come out of the COVID-19 pandemic!
Flexibility in the workplace
Labour shortage, pandemic, frequent job changes, benefits, the world of work is not easy in 2021. To promote retention and a great company culture, many changes are essential for managers and these changes start with your employees.
The pandemic has shown that full-time teleworking is possible and still allows employees to be productive. So why not survey them about their desires and allow them real flexibility? For some employees, teleworking is much easier and even allows them to be more productive. Others prefer to be face-to-face and others like to balance the two. So maybe in 2021 we need to listen to our employees and really give them a choice.
Perhaps in 2021 we will have to be flexible. For real.