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What to expect from Remote Working in 2021 - Challenges & Potential Solutions for HRs
February 4, 2021
What to expect from Remote Working in 2021 - Challenges & Potential Solutions for HRs
February 4, 2021
2020 was arguably the most challenging year for any business in the recent past, irrespective of the industry. And one of the sectors that had it the worst was Human Resources. From giant companies with tens of thousands of employees located all over the world, to more modest ones with a handful of employees – the HR teams of every company had to overcome challenges they had never seen before!
But a lot of companies miraculously found their way out of what can only be defined as a quagmire of decisions, emerging the chaos that followed the remote working situation that was imposed on us by the pandemic. And technology played a massive role in that transition from office-based work to remote work – be it remote onboarding & training solutions, payroll automation tools, performance management systems, employee feedback solutions - each has contributed significantly to the successful transition to the new normal.
With 2021 presenting a new ray of hope, what now are the challenges that await HR teams globally and how one goes about addressing these challenges is what we will be discussing. But before we get to that, let's take a quick look at what Human Resource Professionals can expect from 2021, in terms of trends that will rule the roost.
With 2021 presenting a new ray of hope, what now are the challenges that await HR teams globally and how one goes about addressing these challenges is what we will be discussing. But before we get to that, let's take a quick look at what Human Resource Professionals can expect from 2021, in terms of trends that will rule the roost.
- Employee Experience 2.0:Everything that we have learned about employee experience has been challenged by the pandemic, and so the year 2021 will play a crucial role in redefining how companies approach employee experience and also company culture. While a lot of it is dictated by each company's specific needs and policies, in general, one can expect a more inclusive and personalized strategy on the employee experience front.
- Remote Learning as a key differentiator:While most future-ready companies already have in place a solid Learning & Development structure, the new normal is likely to make it more common, if not mandatory. The fact that employees will no longer gather in training rooms to upskill themselves will bring about a massive adoption of remote learning software, empowering employees to learn at their own pace and convenience.
- The introduction of the "hybrid" workplace:The post-COVID world will also embrace the concept of hybrid workplaces more readily. Depending on the nature of the work, the type of industry one is in and the personal reasons that dictate an employee's decision, companies will increasingly adopt the hybrid model for convenience and efficacy. In fact, several organizations the world over have swapped office-based work with remote work indefinitely.
Top 3 HR challenges
With these trends, there will also be challenges that HR teams might face. Here are the top 3 ones that you will have to look into for 2021:
1
Digitalization of HR:
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that with the right technologies, companies can overcome almost every unexpected crisis. The way forward for any company that has long-term goals is to invest in the right set of tech solutions that will help improve operational efficiency, reduce mundane workload and improve productivity and performance of the entire organization. In this context, one of the most effective tools to invest in is a Digital Adoption Platform like Apty that will not only help you achieve the three above-stated goals, but also help you successfully navigate your company through change management and digital transformation.
2
Empowering remote Employees:
remote working doesn't come naturally to a majority of people. Especially with a multi-generational workforce, it can be quite challenging for the HR team to put together a plan that works for everyone. This being the case, investing in the right technology can also help mitigate the gaps that one would typically face while working remotely, especially when indefinite. Tools that help collapse silos, encourage employee upskilling and training, improve transparency and keep the company culture alive will play a huge role in overcoming the challenges of remote working for employees who otherwise prefer working from the office, in the presence of their colleagues.
3
Making remote work successful:
A lot goes into making remote work successful, and no other team knows this better than Human Resources! But with the right set of tools and with an employee-first attitude, it is not as complex as it seems. Especially since the worst is over. Yes, the challenges of the new normal are different but these are more mature decisions that the business community as a whole will resolve. Keeping an open mind and being more sensitive to the needs of employees and the company will really define the success of your remote work strategy.
Conclusion:
While 2021 comes with a lot of hopes and expectations, it is also equally important for us to remember that there is no better time than now to switch to a model that is more future-ready. What has worked so far might not work for everyone in the long-run, and having a pro-change approach could really redefine the way your organization functions. Investing in the right tech solutions and listening to the needs of your workforce is what will dictate the success of your HR initiatives in the new normal that we live in.
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