Creating a People-Centric Workplace Post-Pandemic

Hilda Gan

We have been in a global pandemic for three years, forcing companies and individuals to be more resourceful, creative and flexible. Employees who worked from home experienced lifestyle’s benefits. As a result, many want to find more meaningful work in a safe environment and Companies are having trouble finding and keeping staff.

So how do you keep and attract talent post-pandemic? Creating a more people-centric is the solution. Using AI, ChatGPT identified the Top HR Trends in 2023 as

1. Remote work and hybrid work models

2. A Focus on Employee Wellness

3. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation

4. Employee experience and engagement

5. Upskilling and reskilling

6. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

Tips and strategies for remote and hybrid work models, people-centric workplaces and adopting AI and technology can help companies be successful in 2023.

Remote Work and Hybrid Work Models

Companies need to be flexible in creating Remote and Hybrid Work models. Since many employees have worked remotely during the pandemic, businesses should consider the time and place when it is practical, productive, and in the best interest of the Company and their staff.

Benefits of working in the office include improved engagement and connectivity and the learned experiences of being physically present with co-workers and managers. Implement times when being in the office is beneficial to teams and individuals.

Staff can be more productive when working from home – due to greater flexibility, reduced stress and the ability to better manage work-life balance. 40% of employees work longer hours at home versus the office (Ergotron). McLean & Company noted employee engagement is more positive for remote work than work only on-site. Remote and hybrid work also had no negative impact on company culture.

Evidence supports a remote or hybrid model over a return to work full time and will result in improved engagement and better retention of employees.

Create People-Centric Workplaces

The trend in 2023 is to create a people-centric workplace. This includes focuses on wellness, engaging staff, creating a diverse and inclusive work culture and training staff. Research from the Great Place to Work® shows that organizations that create equitable workplaces for their employees and rank on our Best Workplaces lists see 3X higher revenue growth than their peers, significantly less turnover, and an easier time attracting top talent.

There are many ways you can improve employee engagement. This starts with a well-developed onboarding orientation that makes people feel included from Day One and has Performance Reviews that focus on the future potential and growth of the employee.

When planning for the future, consider the Employee Experience. Map what that would look like in your organization and how an employee would experience feeling a sense of value and importance from the first day and orientation and throughout their growth.

It also includes considering an Employee Wellness Program. As a result of the challenges, more people are stressed than ever before. According to a recent survey by Robert Half, 36% of workers said they’re more burned out now than a year ago. Of the professionals surveyed, 29% said a lack of communication and support from management sparked burnout. Wellness Programs can improve staff physical, mental, emotional health, relationships and productivity within your organization.

Workplaces should also strive to create an environment where people feel psychologically safe, including programs and practices that include DEIB. For a better ROI, companies should operationalize their efforts. The key is making staff feel inclusive and valued in the organization.

It also should include training managers to detect stress and develop people leadership skills to help build trusting relationships with their staff. Workplace leaders are often promoted for their ability to manage the operations side of the project and the client but lack the skills to lead, motivate and uplift their teams. Managers are the pivotal point in your organization to retain talent. People leadership training will yield a great ROI.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation

The use of AI and automation has benefits regardless of the size of your business. AI can save research time and gives information to assist in decisions. However, AI should not replace the human interface that is needed at times, but it gives you a starting point and can save time.

Automation should be considered, and many HR software applications can help automate payroll, benefits, applicant tracking, metrics and developing onboarding and educational programs. The ROI for the software results in improved quality and consistency of HR operations and frees up time for HR to spend time on people.

Summary

In 2023, if you want to retain staff, become more people-centric and invest time and money in making people feel valued and less stressed in the workplace. AI and automation can increase the quality and consistency of the employee experience. Money budgeted for these strategies will show a substantive ROI and increase employee engagement, retention and productivity. Connect with the author for more tips and strategies to build a better workplace.

About the Author

Hilda Gan is an award-winning work culture expert, keynote speaker and international best-selling author. She is the President and Chief People Officer of People Bright Consulting, an HR Consulting and Leadership and Team Building training company that helps transforms businesses and leaders to REVUP their Potential.