Workforce Management Trends During Pandemic Times

How has COVID-19 affected the way employers lead and manage their workforce? These three Gartner trends are top of our list.

1. Employee tracking and monitoring

With close to 50% of the workforce in surveyed companies choosing to work remotely, keeping track of employee performance, productivity and engagement are becoming vital to understand the new way of working.

Technology is essential to bridge this gap, and Gartner analysis indicates that 16% of employers are actively using technology to check up on their workforce. This involvement can be anything from monitoring emails to tracking computer usage.

Organisations are relying on collaboration tools to boost internal communication and team chats. Video conferencing is replacing boardroom meetings. And some companies are more interested in monitoring the well-being, safety and health of their employees (perhaps to gauge long-term remote work benefits and disadvantages).

2. Employee well-being support

The devastating impact of lockdown measurements and social distancing have affected work-life balance, which is why employers began to focus on their workers’ physical and mental well-being in the current situation.

Some companies gave more freedom to employees in choosing to work from home or remotely. In a historic move, brands like Facebook and Twitter announced that their employees could work from home indefinitely if they choose to do so.

Other employers’ assistance during the pandemic included extended sick leave, flexible operational hours, child care provisions for working parents, and financial aid where possible.

It should be noted here that many organisations in industries affected by the lockdown decided to involve their employees in community work and provide essential services in the fight against the virus (for example, clothing retailers manufactured protective wear).

3. Contract-based and contingent workers

Following the economic recession brought by the coronavirus pandemic, companies have resorted to cutting budgets and workforce numbers. There has been a massive shift towards cost-saving measurements in HR and recruitment, which meant a move towards the flexibility of employment. Think contract, freelance, and gig workers.

According to Gartner research, 32% of the surveyed companies chose to replace full-time employees with contingent workers, mainly to save money during the Covid-19 pandemic and allow for much-needed flexibility. Other businesses reconsidered their contractor budgets, switched to talent sharing and pro-rata work payments. 

The analysis further shows that companies are increasingly going for the more cost-effective work alternative while researching new job models and innovative ways of doing business under the pandemic pressure.

Professional Sourcing can assist with the recruitment process during and after the pandemic. Our team has a strong reputation for recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. Visit prosourcing.co.za for more info.

Professional Sourcing has a strong reputation for highly developed recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. We develop strong long-term relationships with our loyal clients. Allow us to help you deal with your frustrations of a lengthy hiring process.

Professional Sourcing is a top-tier South African-based recruitment agency operating internationally, IPM accredited, LEVEL 2 BEE RATED and 51% Black Owned.