Over the past year, all of us have overcome unforeseen challenges thoughtfully and, most definitely, resourcefully. HR teams everywhere 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 we’ve adapted and reset to meet the needs of this new normal, it may be tempting to go down the path of familiarity and return to how things were before. But some of the changes that have been put in place in the past year have probably been for the better. We are now at an inflection point, where we 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.
The HR & Payroll eSymposium
The Spring HR & Payroll eSymposium, taking place on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, will explore how you can take lessons learned from the past year and reimagine people strategy for the future. You can choose from four timely tracks that will provide perspective on people processes, work environments, and plans for the future.
Reimagine people processes
The events of 2020 absolutely highlighted how essential HR and payroll teams are and how important it is to be flexible and responsive to emerging needs. As we look ahead, a one-size-fits-all approach to people processes may not work because every employee’s situation is different and ever changing. Building flexibility into new processes and procedures, while balancing the need for consistency and compliance, will be vital.
Reimagine how we work
As the pandemic erased the boundaries between professional and personal lives, it became clear that there is an opportunity to create 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 employees’ lives. By leading with empathy, organizations 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.
This requires ongoing, thoughtful work that we can’t just rely on 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 at the forefront of strategies, you can reimagine an environment where talent from all backgrounds can thrive.
Reimagine the future
Teams quickly adapted to the disruption of the last year — condensing initiatives that would have taken months into days. And then managed to encourage adoption among their newly remote workforces.
Although this was not an easy feat, it should get teams thinking about, and possibly reevaluating, readiness for future disruptions. After all, if everything that was accomplished was done under pressure, just imagine what could be achieved with time to reflect on lessons learned, plan, and prepare.
Join us on May 5!
Dive deeper into these topics and more at the HR & Payroll eSymposium. Designed for busy HR, payroll, finance, and operations professionals, this free one-day event is packed with visionary speakers and networking opportunities — 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.