HR: 3 Step-Guide to Navigating the Changing Marketplace

As Human Resource Manager during a global pandemic, you are working tirelessly to implement new policies and update existing ones. As a graduate student and participant in the Coursera and Northwestern Social Marketing Program, with a passion for Human Resources, I have found two  articles that highlight creative ways businesses should handle pandemics.

In a recent Entrepreneur article, "How Businesses Should Handle the Coronavirus Outbreak", Adrian Tan, veteran HR practitioner, shared some valuable insight into what companies should be doing during a global outbreak. Human Resource Departments should take responsibility in gathering information from verified sources to share with the staff, making sure this information is easily accessible to all employees. It’s important for companies to implement flexible working arrangements and switch to teleworking or remote work to avoid transmitting and spreading the disease. HR Managers should take part in restructuring their leave policies, so employees feel comfortable calling out of work instead of attending their job because they did not have enough paid time off left.

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In this Forbes article, "Managing The Switch to Home-Working", Leadership Strategist Andrew Mawson, discusses how to oversee the switch to home working. Mawson recognizes that the transition will not be easy, and the work-from-home charm will wear off for employees, especially since the office provides a supportive and rich social environment. Organizations that move to home-based still need to consider IT, health & safety and ergonomics. It’s important to make sure your employees can still socialize by creating a separate time and chat for more informal interactions and making sure managers are accessible and visible in order to maintain relationships and plan for the return to the office.

For Human Resource Managers who are helping their organizations navigate through an economic downturn, I would suggest three recommendations:

•        Consistent, Effective Communication – Human Resources is the center for information and responsible for its distribution to all employees, update employees often and with verified sources.
•        Flexible working arrangement – Help prevent contamination by allowing employees to work remotely, there are many digital platforms that are available and discounted so your employees can continue working together.
•       Maintain your Relationships – Make sure employees can physically see you and their respective manager during virtual meetings, this builds trust and helps eliminate misunderstandings.

Beginning today, make sure you are supporting your organization as best you can during these slow economic times.

Anne is a Sales Assistant at the Small Business Marketing Studio. She is a military veteran with a background in hospitality management. Previously, she has worked in leadership roles in both the hotel industry and the marketing industry. Anne has a keen desire to help small businesses grow and prosper.  Anne is currently pursuing her MBA at Western Governors University. You can contact me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter!