These days it seems as if the world’s been turned upside down. Many businesses have closed their doors – some for a few months and some permanently. In spite of the uncertainty and despair in the business world, some companies and industries are actually experiencing the highest demand ever while everyone else is left to determine how the world will work again. It may not be the “normal” we were used to, but some of us will have to adjust to a new normal. Either way, we need to get ready to greet the new landscape of hiring whenever that occurs.
Telecommuting
As recently as 2019, a little over half of the workers in the US worked from home or remotely as little as one time each month, according to OWL Labs. With the pandemic, that number has gone up drastically. Because of COVID, more and more businesses are likely to begin offering options for telecommuting – and with good reason.
Safety
Regardless of why, when hiring, it’s important to remember – be it for a telecommuting position or in a brick-and-mortar office setting – businesses need to complete a background check for job applicants who’re qualified to ensure there’s no criminal history. With more and more information being digitally available every single day, this is critical for the safety of your business, your employees, and your clients.
Flexible Work Practices
If you want to grow your business easily, offering flexible work practices can actually improve your employees’ productivity, attract new talent, retain talent, and support diversity and inclusion initiatives through more inclusive recruitment practices. It’s still a bit too early in the game to know what the full effects of the pandemic are on the workplace, but so far, it’s been a case of a marked increase in remote working as businesses listen to CDC guidelines and public health recommendations and have encouraged working from home when it’s possible.
With everything that’s going on these days, what we’ve seen so far points to a need and desire for a massive change to the way we recruit and onboard new employees. There are new strategies to consider to both prepare for the future and be successful when it comes to remote workers.
Job Specification
Now that we’ve all become accustomed to periodic lockdowns and capacity reductions in public places, job seekers are looking for more than just income; they’re also looking for safety and security for both their income and themselves. These days when you’re writing a job spec, consider including the scope of possible telecommuting clearly in your description. Let your potential candidates know whether or not any travel for work will be necessary because some candidates might not be able to travel for reasons like being immunocompromised or not having adequate childcare.
In the end, just keep in mind that being teachable and adaptable are traits that all of us, whether we’re an employee, manager, or the owner of the business, should attempt to cultivate – especially during trying times such as those we’ve been experiencing for the past year. The ability you have to rise and meet this challenge can literally determine whether your business makes it through or not. Having the necessary tools to tackle any challenge you meet will assist with the mitigation of any negative effects of crises and change and can keep your employees and yourself safe, healthy, and productive, regardless of what the current crises might be.