Prepare for Disruption

Are you and your company prepared for disruption? We have faced tremendous disruption since the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past 16+ months, and it’s not over! In fact, what is being shared from many reliable sources is that employers need to be ready to adapt to the needs of their employees, and if they don’t, it’s likely companies will face some challenging times, specifically around retaining key employees.

Many companies have created their future of work plan, while many organizations are still working on what their approach will look like. And those who have announced their plan, and in some cases, called their employees back to the office at least in a hybrid scenario, admit it might change again. It’s not easy to determine what is best, and for those organizations who pivoted to remote work when the pandemic began, they were able to see how productive their employees were able to be in a very different work environment.

In many circumstances, productivity increased and employees felt overworked, exhausted, and burnt out. Many felt they could not “shut off” or create boundaries with work, leading to more exhaustion and in many cases dissatisfaction. Others were grateful to be home with their children who needed to attend school remotely, or just not have to spend so much time commuting. Ultimately, the result of the recent experience by many employees is that they want more flexibility.

Focus on What’s Important

An EY press release suggests that “Employers who want to keep the best people now and in the next normal will need to put flexible working in front and center of their talent strategy.” Flexibility looks different to different people. It may be being able to choose when to work, or from where to work.

Research indicates “41 percent of the global workforce is likely to consider leaving their current employer within the next year, with 46 percent planning to make a major pivot or career transition.”

There are many challenges. As this HBR article reveals, it’s not as easy as simply offering a flexible workplace. Behaviors need to change, and often it’s challenging for leaders at the top to let go of certain behaviors to adapt to the needed changes.

Support Makes a Difference

What are you experiencing personally? Are you considering a change, or are you committed to staying where you are? Are you a leader in an organization struggling to adapt your behaviors to the future needs of your organization? Are you an HR professional concerned about talent retention and driving a new culture? Looking for a strategic partner to support you? Let’s connect.

“The greatest asset of a company is its people.” – Jorge Paulo Lemann