Social Distancing: How To Maintain Your Employees’ Interactions And Morale
As the pandemic continues to slow down the economy and social distancing becomes the norm, companies look to maintain morale by promoting employee connectivity through cloud-based HR software. The regular work day has changed drastically, with a majority of the staff working from home for an extended period and a smaller workforce coming into an office with an altered work environment. Keeping these circumstances in mind, businesses are re-evaluating their priorities when it comes to ensuring employee optimisation.
Healthcare Upgrades
Where coming down with the flu or catching a slight fever was considered a nuisance before, post-COVID it has become a serious issue. Maintaining health has become a top-notch priority for all individuals, especially for those working in offices again. Some of these employees are parents responsible for young children or individuals dealing with their health complications. They need to be provided with a sense of safety that additional measures are being taken to ensure they will be taken care of. Taking this into account, companies are revisiting existing employee insurance plans to include comprehensive healthcare resources.
Technology To The Rescue
Increased remote work operations are having a direct influence on employee digital collaboration. Considering this, employers are relying more on technologies to expand data collection and better understand employee experience. A cloud-based HR software system can provide managers with improved tools to assess effective work in a remote environment, including monitoring virtual clocking in and out, keeping abreast of employee emails, and tracking work computer usage. Similarly, employees can benefit from advanced technological resources such as virtual exercise sessions and other stress relief links, ensuring that they are not feeling overwhelmed at all times.
Connection and Communication
Although new safety measures are causing commercial workspaces to resemble office buildings in hospitals, it is up to the employer to respond to the changes in a positive manner so they can build employee resilience and social capital. Now more than ever, company leaders need to emphasize open communication about plans and challenges, so their employees are not left in the dark about any impending concerns. It may be a while before the workforce can gather in a central hub to engage in important discussions, which is why businesses are creating digital channels for people to engage with each other directly. Virtual interactions can further boost office camaraderie by encouraging employees to share tips, ask questions, and gain clarity, all the while staying connected with company culture. Employers can also send out pulse surveys to gain important insights into their team’s well-being and productivity.
Increased Flexibility
Instead of the current situation, fluidity and work efficiency are beginning to walk parallel lines. Irregular or reduced hours can no longer be seen as a negative. Companies are increasingly accommodating their employees’ need for flexibility in terms of projects, hours and location. Automated HR systems are encouraging employees to take charge of their work calendars by scheduling important meetings, blocking time off, and updating project deadlines.
Good workplace morale is not developed overnight; however, post-COVID circumstances have increased the need to ensure employee engagement remains top-notch. Although social distancing has caused drastic work disruptions, companies are taking the changes in stride by adopting remote working, welcoming flexibility, and fostering a strong sense of agency.