Tag: employee morale

These are difficult times. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to us that we cannot rely on tomorrow to be like today; there is no such thing as ‘business as usual’. The social and economic upheaval has been devastating, and its effects long-lasting, making these times even more uncertain. The antidote to this uncertainty is clarity.

One of the phrases that emerged in the last two years as more companies adopted remote working was 'the new normal.' At the time, most of us took that to mean that – along with having to wear masks and sanitise our hands at every opportunity – businesses that found they could continue operations on a remote working basis would continue to do so in perpetuity.

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of employee relations in the workplace, and it is more critical than ever to maintain clear communication between management and workers. A breakdown in employee relations can be detrimental to the organisation and business productivity.

Many South African businesses have been struggling since the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. While the economy has seen slight improvements from last year, conditions remain uncertain and unstable. Many businesses are struggling to balance the need to stay afloat with the desire not to retrench any further staff.

Contrary to popular belief, migrating to a digital payroll solution is not simply a case of copying and pasting data into a cloud environment. There are system-wide dependencies to consider, especially when it comes to accessing databases and other dynamic information.

Did you hear? Gossip, whispered conversation, speculation and half truths that once flowed through the workplace, has all but vanished in our new network of home offices.  But while it might seem like a good thing as gossip is often damaging, the truth is it is one the things we miss most about the workplace.

At first, the lockdown added some notable benefits to the employee’s life. They didn’t have to sit in traffic for hours. They could wake up a little later and work a little longer. They could wear their pyjamas at the desk and they discovered that they were far more productive in this new world of work.

If there’s any situation that’s going to show your true colours, it’s a crisis. Sticking to your values during a crisis is vital. It is important to navigate your way through the COVID-19 crisis, successfully and with integrity. As part of SAICA's new Leadership in a Time of Crisis series, I highlighted the importance of leading ethically during these difficult times. 

The only certainty in life is that there will be uncertainty - having a clear plan on how to keep employees engaged and connected can help mitigate these times. Most businesses are no strangers to challenges. However, the current global crisis has created several new challenges for businesses and employees alike. Among these new difficulties that need to be dealt with are persistent pressures that erode morale over time.