This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
HR Experts Face Unprecedented Opportunities Amidst Crisis ¶
June 30, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape the corporate landscape, Human Resources (HR) experts are poised to play a crucial role in driving transformation and leading the way to a new norm.
With the unprecedented movement control and lockdown enforced by governments worldwide, the very basic nature of work culture has been altered. Historically, HR has struggled to find its place amidst the concrete results of other departments, but the pandemic has brought a new level of importance to the role.
HR leaders will be busy managing retrenchments and lay-offs over the next 12 months, and there will be a surge in demand for industrial relations experts to assist companies in facilitating the process. This creates a need for HR expertise to lead in designing and implementing new marketing strategies, identifying new performance measurements, and reskilling employees to drive the virtual business model.
As companies adapt to the new norm, HR will be at the forefront of designing and implementing policies to support remote work, introducing new benefits for employees, and restructuring organisations to stay nimble. The current tidal wave of change positions HR to transform, lead the employee experience, and drive the shape of the workforce that will lead the business to where it needs to go next.
With the digital revolution accelerating at an astonishing pace, business leaders are grappling with emerging technologies, and there is a heightened expectation for personal experiences. HR has the opportunity to help organisations gain the capabilities and cultural readiness to fail fast but learn faster and continuously innovate new solutions.
The writer is a People and Organization Development Professional and Head of Business Strategy at Blue Concepts Africa Ltd., Kenya.
