It is time for businesses to seriously consider upgrading their working environment to accommodate a new work culture in the times of a pandemic such as the COVID-19 outbreak, says Melissa Norman, founder of Aisling Group, in an interview with Business Today.
“I believe that traits of being positive, willingness to be flexible and adjust to new roles and new ways of doing things would still be relevant and key to how well we adapt to living with the virus,” says Melissa, who is also the managing director of the talent solutions provider in Malaysia.
“Businesses have to seriously look towards putting in place the infrastructure and policies for this ‘new’ way of working if they haven’t already done so,” she adds.
During the pandemic, when the job landscape and the working environment have changed so drastically so quickly, everyone has had to quickly adapt to how we work and do business to survive.
Now, as we come to terms that this ‘new normal’ is here to stay and that this pandemic will be treated as endemic, businesses should consider what factors can be adjusted to better suit the needs of the new phase for their workforce, she says.
“Some of the factors that businesses should consider is rearranging the workspace to better suit their goals post-pandemic. Employers can also start fostering greater engagement through regular check-ins with staff for work and for play, and creating a ‘buddy system’ so no one feels isolated.
Melissa stressed that employers should also allow for regular upskilling training to equip employees with skills they need to support business efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. These trainings could also and should importantly include mental wellbeing as part of their employees’ health plans she adds.
