Pre Covid-19 some companies resisted conversations that included a hybrid model of employees splitting time between the office and home. The coronavirus pandemic has likely changed this way of thinking. In fact, companies, like Google, Twitter and Facebook have extended remote working for their employees. But, as more people are inoculated with their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine what could a post-pandemic working world look like?
Here are 5 tips from an article, by David Finkle titled 5 Job PerksYou Should Provide in a Post-Pandemic Climate:
“Trust: This past year was a stressful one for leaders and employees, and the one thing that most workers seek right now is a transparent and trustworthy leadership team. How and how often you communicate makes a huge difference in employee comfort level, and will allow your team members to do their best work. This is especially important when working with a remote team. Focus on being transparent about the health of your business and, if necessary, any challenges or hurdles.
Connection: Working remotely can be a challenge for many employees, and they may struggle to feel connected to their co-workers and the team as a whole. Try to get creative by giving them unstructured options to socialize with one another. Virtual pizza parties and scavenger hunts have all been used by business owners to help their team feel more connected during these strange times.
A better Work-from-home experience: The sudden shift to remote work last year left many workers struggling to find a place to call their own. They may be writing reports from the kitchen table, handling client calls from the garage, and taking Zoom meetings from their bedroom. Their technology may be outdated, and they may struggle to do their best work. One of the best perks you can give your team right now is an upgraded, comfortable workspace. Subsidize equipment. Upgrade computers. Help purchase ergonomic furniture. All of these things can help make an employee’s day more pleasant and make them feel appreciated.
Healthcare: This is a big perk right now. The pandemic brought health care to the forefront, and many employees found themselves with subpar or no coverage. Having a comprehensive employer-provided health care plan is at the top of the list for many job seekers right now.
Wellness: Wellness goes a lot further than just employer-provided health care. It encompasses mental and emotional health and for many even financial health. Consider offering therapy benefits and meditation or yoga memberships as a good start. Another perk would be to help your employees with financial wellness. Have a financial planner do a series of webinars for your team members offering guidance on how to manage their money, save for retirement, or create a budget. Have a tax expert help your team choose the right deductions now that they are working from home”.
Bottomline: Not all jobs can be done remotely. Distribution and warehousing, healthcare and grocery store workers are amoung the few who needs to be onsite to perform their duties. Many workers in the tech sector are accustomed to working remotely, as some employers will likely maintain the telecommute arrangements or move to a hybrid model. And finally, jobs that had already been trending toward remote work before the pandemic are the ones, least likely to return to the office.
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