How Remote Work Has Affected Human Capital Management
The workplace has evolved significantly during the past few years, and today, many more people are working remotely than ever before. There are some people who spend their time working from home, and there are countless others who find themselves on the go regularly. Some people even have a hybrid work environment, where they spend some of their time in an office and the rest of their time at home.
A remote work environment has created a lot of challenges and opportunities for human capital management (HCM). When companies understand how they can use remote work to maximize the value of their employees, the entire company is put in a position to succeed. How has remote work impacted human capital management?
The Recruitment and Onboarding Process
Perhaps no area exemplifies the juxtaposition of challenges and opportunities created by remote work more than the recruitment and onboarding process. On one hand, remote work has opened the door for companies by expanding their talent catchment areas. No longer are companies limited to hiring employees strictly in their geographic radius. Now, thanks to remote work, companies can hire employees from just about anywhere, giving them an opportunity to truly find the best person for the job.
On the other hand, it has also made the onboarding process a bit more challenging. Virtual onboarding programs must be developed and honed to ensure all new hires are adequately integrated into the company’s culture. It can be more challenging to train remote employees to use the tools and resources provided by the company, but with the right training program, companies can still put their new hires in a position to be successful, even if they work remotely. Futuris can leverage the latest technology in this industry to help companies manage the onboarding process from start to finish.
Performance Management and KPIs
Remote work has also changed how performance management and key performance indicators are tracked. In the past, many companies simply tracked the number of hours their employees worked. Now, because of remote work, it has become harder for companies to get a transparent picture of how many hours their employees are working. Instead, successful companies focus on outcomes and results instead of the amount of time their employees spend in the virtual office.
Successful managers should use digital tools to track the productivity of their employees and ensure they meet all necessary performance bars. Some of the KPIs companies might track include:
The time it takes to finish projects
How many projects finish within or under budget
Customer satisfaction rates with employee performance
Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can also ensure employees remain on track. Futuris can help companies track these KPIs in real time to streamline corporate processes.
Digital Training, Learning, and Development
Even though in-person training and development might still have a place, much of this has been replaced with webinars and online learning conducted by HR teams. While this has increased the accessibility and flexibility of professional development opportunities, it also means that companies may have to invest in digital literacy training.
Some employees might need help adapting to a digital workplace, and they may need to be trained on certain digital tools and technologies. When used appropriately, these tools can increase the agility of the company and maximize the productivity of employees, but employees also need to be shown how to use these tools. Futuris can streamline corporate overhead through consolidation, helping companies take care of their bottom lines while still meeting their goals.
A Greater Focus on Employee Engagement and Wellness
It can be more challenging to foster a sense of community throughout a workplace when everyone works remotely, but it is not impossible. With a lack of face-to-face interaction, virtual team-building activities and social events have become more important. This could include everything from digital games to in-person workshops, which can help companies ensure their employees connect with one another.
There has also been a growing focus on mental health, and companies should focus on the health and wellness of their employees. Some of the ways to handle this virtually include:
Encouraging the use of meditation apps
Incentivizing virtual fitness classes
Offering mental health resources
Futuris understands how important employee health and wellness is in the current environment. By providing companies with the latest staffing solutions, businesses will have the resources they need to take care of their employees.
Prioritizing Communication and Collaboration in the Remote World
In a remote work environment, effective communication and collaboration are indispensable. Companies have had to change the way their employees communicate with one another to ensure they are all on the same page. Clarity and conciseness in communication portals remain crucial, as it is easy for employees to develop digital fatigue.
Companies should also encourage their employees to be completely transparent with when they are and are not working. Respecting boundaries can prevent burnout among employees, which can go a long way toward reducing employee turnover and increasing retention rates. If you would like to learn more about the experts at Futuris we can help you, contact us today to learn more about our opportunities.