09.02.2022

How to tackle key HR challenges post Covid-19

By Adrian Lewis Director at Activ People HR

The past two years have seen significant changes in the workplace as companies adapted to changes brought about by the global pandemic. A rise in remote working left many office buildings closed as people worked at home and there have been growing concerns around the mental wellbeing of employees. Now as businesses start to get back to normal, we look at some of the key challenges with the potential to overwhelm HR teams.

Rising absenteeism

Businesses need to prepare for more absences this year. Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and the threat of new variants and conditions such as Long Covid all present challenges.

A Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) report based on a survey(i) of 804 organisations with more than 4.3 million employees found that 26% of businesses now include long COVID as a main cause of long-term sickness absence.

46% of the organisations had employees that had experienced Long Covid, and the CIPD recommends employers do more to support workers with the condition.

Using technology to monitor absences, who is self-isolating, and those with illnesses such as Long Covid could help a business better manage absence, plan cover if needed and ensure productivity doesn’t fall.

Managing the ‘hybrid’ worker

The ‘hybrid’ model of working emerged from the pandemic as lockdowns promoted widespread remote working. Employees and businesses alike have seen it can work and employees are increasingly demanding to work flexibly.

Research from Willis Towers Watson(ii) last year found that more than two in five employers will have adopted hybrid working in two years’ time, with only three in 10 (30%) businesses expecting to have their workforce fully back on site before 2023.

Reed also revealed that 45% of office workers not working in a hybrid model would consider leaving their job to do so(iii). Firms may need to offer hybrid working to attract, recruit and retain talent.

Implementing this permanently can be challenging as businesses need to manage staff working in different locations at different times. Technology can help companies introduce flexible working and provide an accurate, real-time overview of staff whereabouts to ensure the business can operate efficiently.

Rise in holiday leave requests

The easing of restrictions around the world means that travel is back on the agenda. There is also pentup holiday demand that could see HR departments struggling to manage a huge rise in holiday requests. Research from Tripadvisor and Ipsos Mori found that more people are planning to travel for leisure in 2022 than those who travelled before the pandemic in 2019(iv).

Companies who rely on emails, spreadsheets, and even verbal conversations to manage holiday requests, may not be able to keep accurate records. This could inadvertently result in too many people being off at once and workplaces short staffed.

Investing in absence management technology can ease the workload on HR teams and make requesting and approving holiday leave seamless.

Growing focus on wellbeing

Mental health was the top reason for sickness absence last year, ahead of Covid-19. Research from GoodShape’s UK PLC 2021 Workforce Health Report(v), highlighted that absence from mental health accounted for almost a fifth (19%) of all lost working time in the UK.

Monitoring absences using technology gives businesses a clear and transparent record of their absence data, and insights into trends, which can help managers understand key issues affecting people including mental health problems or long-term conditions. With this knowledge they will be able to provide better support that can get people back to work more quickly.

The Great Resignation

Many employers are anticipating the Great Resignation this year. Research from Sodexo Engage this year shows one in three UK workers plan on handing in their resignations in the next 12 months.(vi)

Good performance management is key to retention and having regular appraisals and performance reviews is critical. While the pandemic changed how we are working, employees need to feel valued and recognised.

Appraisal software can help businesses manage the process effectively, nurturing talent and engaging employees. They are about more than about pay or the opinion of one manager, they are key in developing staff and ensuring good performance, which can ultimately improve staff retention.

To conclude

The road ahead won’t be without its challenges for businesses, but they can be overcome by embracing HR technology. Going digital can free up the HR team from an overwhelming amount of admin, so they can get on with dealing with other important issues. Supporting staff wellbeing and addressing recruitment and retention will be critical to business success.

References:

i https://www.reuters.com/world/the-great-reboot/quarter-uk-employers-cite-long-covid-driving-absences-survey-2022-02-08/
ii https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/news/articles/two-in-five-employers-will-embrace-hybrid-working-poll-finds#gref
iii https://www.thehrdirector.com/features/future-of-work/hybrid-workers-believe-they-have-a-better-work-life-balance-what-does-this-mean-for-businesses-in-2022/
iv https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/travel-plans-for-2022-surpass-pre-pandemic-levels
v https://blog.goodshape.com/news/poor-mental-health-is-number-one-reason-for-time-off-work-for-uk-employees-in-2021
vi https://www.businessleader.co.uk/how-to-tackle-the-great-resignation-in-2022/