Over the past year, HR leaders across every sector have overcome unforeseen challenges with thoughtfulness and most certainly resourcefulness. HR teams were forced to roll out new policies to take care of their people and help them work under radically different conditions without much warning.
Now that most organizations have adapted and reset to meet the needs of this new normal, it may be tempting to go down the path of familiarity and try to return to how things were before. However, some of the changes that have been put in place in the past year may have been for the better. We are now at an inflection point where HR leaders have a unique opportunity to reimagine a new vision for people and work — because if 2020 taught us anything, it’s that nothing is off the table.
Here are a few key areas where leaders have the opportunity to reimagine their people practices for the future. We'll be exploring each of these more deeply at our upcoming Spring HR & Payroll eSymposium.
Reimagine people processes
The events of 2020 highlighted how essential HR teams are and how important it is to be flexible and responsive to emerging needs. Looking ahead, a one-size-fits-all approach to people processes may not work because every employee’s situation is different and ever-changing. It will be vital to build flexibility into new processes and procedures, all while balancing the need for consistency and compliance.
Reimagine how we work
As the pandemic erased the boundaries between professional and personal lives, it became clear that organizations have an opportunity to foster an environment where people are encouraged and feel empowered to take care of themselves.
Promoting the importance of self-care, providing more holistic well-being resources, and removing the stigma around conversations about mental health are just a few steps that can make an impact on employee’s lives. By leading with empathy, your organization can reimagine a workplace where employees are able to bring their best selves to work every day.
Reimagine a workplace of inclusivity
The recent discussions around racial justice and equity have increased awareness that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) must be a priority. Candidates and employees alike are paying close attention to what organizations say and do, so a thoughtful approach to DEI&B is essential in order to attract and retain the best talent and enjoy all the benefits that diversity can bring.
But there’s no quick fix for such an important issue. Instead it requires ongoing, thoughtful work which can’t just fall to HR to tackle. Creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace is everyone’s responsibility, from the leaders who set the tone to the individual contributors who bring your culture to life. By keeping DEI&B it at the forefront of their strategies, leaders can reimagine an environment where talented people from all backgrounds can thrive.
Reimagine the future
HR professionals quickly mobilized and adapted to the disruption of the last year — condensing initiatives that would have taken months into days. Then managed to encourage adoption among their newly remote workforces.
Although this was not an easy feat, it should get teams thinking about and perhaps re-evaluating their readiness for future disruptions. After all, if everything that we accomplished was done under pressure, just imagine what could be achieved with time to reflect on lessons learned, plan, and prepare.
Conclusion: Take some time to reimagine with us
Dive deeper into these topics and more at the Spring HR & Payroll eSymposium. Designed for busy HR, payroll, finance, and operations professionals, this free, one-day event is packed with visionary speakers, networking opportunities, and four unique learning tracks — plus, nearly all sessions are approved for SHRM, HRCI, and APA recertification.
And, if you’re interested in how leaders can channel disruption into tangible results, you don’t want to miss our dynamic keynote speaker, Elatia Abate, who was named a leading female futurist by Forbes. It all takes place Wednesday, May 5.
