Pandemic’s effect on Human Resource management

Liza S. Pamintuan

FOR THE first time, many companies not just in the country but abroad, have started embracing what is called “remote working”. This means that workers are working from the comforts of their own homes – and this means a lot of adjustments and improvisations by HR personnel.

How has Covid-19 affect working practices? Has the “new normal” – remote working – brought on matters of flexibility with regard to work schedules? How has this impacted working practices?

Majority of industries have been negatively affected by Covid-19. Companies have shut down operations, while some workers have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. The healthcare and industry though reported a positive impact – but their lives are at risk, each and every day.

Some organizations have implemented work from home arrangements. Because this was done for the first time by most companies, they are still weighing in on the pros and cons.

While some sectors hired personnel, a lot of them froze their hiring, because of understandable reasons.

Some have put in place new systems, policies and procedures, specifically health protocols.

Now that a lot of working practices have changed, HR personnel have to learn to deal with these changes. In short, people management must now be agile and flexible too, given the health crisis.

Some of the issues HR people have to deal with now are functioning technology at home, ensuring effective communication, supervision, productivity and performance management, employee engagement and support. They also have the task of re-aligning employee benefits and re-designing policies in relation to WFH.

Employee well-being and safety is of crucial importance now because of the pandemic. Remember, individuals respond to the demands of remote working differently, especially when you factor in their well-being and safety at home.

Indeed, the role of HR practitioners have changed, and these changes are significant to be able to adapt to the times.

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The author is Administrative Assistant II at Angeles Elementary School,

Jesus St., Pulungbulu, Angeles City