explore new places, while they work remotely.
Post-COVID employee experience
Driving company and function level communication to ensure employees are connected to the company mission will be a focus area for CEOs in culture proved again that company culture is indeed an organization’s immune system and acts as the glue that binds a virtual and dispersed workforce together when there is uncertainty and unpredictability in the environment around us. The experiences of the last year have also served as a reminder for companies to stand together in solidarity during a crisis, staying united in the fight against the virus. “Community over
commerce” has been the overarching philosophy for many organizations and this is reflected in people and performance management policies. Companies have partnered with several organizations for humanitarian COVID-19 aid and we will continue to see large corporations pave the path in these efforts for many months to come. Companies will continue to offer their workforce the flexibility to operate out of workspaces closest to their homes, making “work near home” another trend. We will start seeing innovative workplace design strategies that factor in staff rotations, hybrid work models, health and safety protocol as well as wellness priorities. The post-pandemic future of work hinges on our response to the pandemic. It calls for thinking on frameworks to prepare for and manage crises such as the pandemic. COVID 19’s longterm influence is expected to drive digital innovation to new highs, expand cloudbased collaboration and AI-driven software. But most importantly, it holds the promise to make company culture and wellness a strategic people priority, improve workplace policies that support the diversity of talent, and transform the quality of lives.
The N e w Workpla ce
A sense of community and collaboration lies at the heart of employee experience and the focus of human resources teams will shift towards uplifting the overall “life” experience for employees, and not just their experience at work. Driving company and function level communication to ensure employees are connected to the company mission will be a focus area for CEOs, as remote employees will miss the human connection that forms an integral part of the culture. Hosting employee-led virtual events and extending these events to families have become part of the employee engagement strategy. Many organizations have organized expert sessions on health and wellness, mindfulness, stress and anxiety management, and pandemic-related education. CXO leaders will aim to connect with employees from across markets, check in, and provide empathy and support. There are also numerous examples of employees who have stepped up and gone the extra mile to contribute to the community in these trying times. Brands will showcase these employee stories of everyday greatness to offer hope, inspiration, and optimism to the community. Employee
Resource Groups (ERGs) will focus on creating awareness and organizing initiatives to highlight the power of inclusion in a “remote” world, share mutual experiences, and provide the right tools and channels for every individual to “belong”. WeWork India launched “Level Up” and a “Further Education Program” to help employees meet aspirations for learning and development and higher studies, with 16 scholarships offered in 2021. The pandemic has
Priti Shetty is the Head of People at WeWork India july 2021 |
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