Following the unveiling of Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era Of Work 2021 research, the Adecco Group held a panel discussion on the report findings with experts from L’Oreal, Google and LHH. The panellists shared how they have already seen evidence of the substantial shifts in the new workplace reality.
Focus on wellbeing will be essential for thriving remote work cultures
Arguably one of the most tangible elements of the new normal is the priority placed on workers’ wellbeing. With the blurred lines between home and work, adjustments to hybrid work are ongoing with all the advantages and drawbacks, and there are quite a few on both ends.
“There are many positives in terms of flexibility and productivity, but there are also major pitfalls around wellbeing and burnout.”
Alain Dehaze, CEO at the Adecco Group
Burnout has been a significant concern for almost 4 in 10 workers, while 56% of all managers find it hard to identify when their staff is struggling with mental wellbeing.
Flexibility necessary to cater for various workforce needs
Jean-Claude Le Grand, CHRO at L’Oreal, challenges companies to focus on the fairness of remote working setups. He pointed out that some workers cannot work virtually, and others prefer to go back to physical locations. Organisations will need to bridge the gap between different workers’ needs, as the one-size approach doesn’t fit all.
The Resetting Normal report confirms that hybrid has boosted equal opportunities for people with disabilities, parents, and diverse talent. At the same time, employees with kids (51%) and GenZers (56%) would welcome more office time after the pandemic.
Upskilling is crucial for building hybrid environments
Organisations and individuals who embrace right-skilling for the new normal will have significant transformation potential, emphasised Brian Welle from Google. Firms tempted to get back to the way things were will miss out on the opportunity to shift their talent management approaches in a new and exciting direction.
“We know that it is the people with skills in remote working who can make it effective”
– Brian Welle, Vice President of People Analytics, Performance Management and Job Architecture, Google.
Training and upskilling will be essential for continued success in the new hybrid work model. 62% of workers have already done or are considering new courses and qualifications to boost their career development and employability.
