Tag: workplace

The pandemic has proved disproportionately hard for women, but hybrid working potentially offers a future of more equal opportunities and a more equitable sharing of family responsibilities. Over the past year there has been much talk of a ‘she-cession’, with women affected much harder than men by pandemic-enforced closures in sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, leisure and retail.

Those of us who operate in a wide range of workplaces - across all sectors and industries - will have noticed a sea change in the volume and nature of collective industrial action. Work stoppages, illegal strikes, go-slows and massive amounts of peer-to-peer intimidation amongst employee's, especially unionised workers, have increased.

Read our exclusive cover story titled WORKPLACE POLITICISATION - A SERIOUS THREAT TO LABOUR STABILITY & THE PEACE OBLIGATION? by Dr Ivor Blumenthal, CEO, ArkKonsult, as well a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics in the April/May 2021 edition of BusinessBrief.

COVID-19 has changed the way we work, not only through global hard lockdowns, but also with a hard reset in the world of work. The traditional sense of the workplace has met its demise and it’s time to think of the post-pandemic office in creative, new ways.

The latest statistics from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that in 2020, close to 9% of global working hours were lost due to COVID-19. This equates to 255 million full-time jobs – approximately four times higher than jobs lost in 2009 during the global financial crisis.

After working from home and collaborating at a distance, the importance of the workplace and all that it offers has become clear: An office is more than just a place to work and while some people have adapted to working from home (WFH), many people miss the office, perhaps even surprising themselves.

What should Customer Experience (CX) look like in the time of COVID-19? It may all come down to speed and convenience, or perhaps human touch and making a real connection is still key. Responsiveness, caring, an appreciation of the problem and ease of use is welcomed. The right solution for the right problem (no matter the size of the issue), handled professionally and ethically, is also valued.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added a host of new challenges for South African frontline workers, but those arguably hardest hit are female employees within essential industries, who had to still physically show up for their jobs - throughout all lockdown levels - while juggling the lion’s share of unpaid domestic work at home.

With the increasing number of COVID-19 infections, employers must deal with employees who test positive for the virus, those who come into contact with individuals who test positive, and those who present with COVID-19 related symptoms. It is therefore important for employers to understand when sick leave must be used.

COVID-19 came to be the reset button for our world. There is massive innovation afoot: everything is becoming digital, interaction, distribution channels, and a myriad of new receiving devices to play in this digital space. There is also a greater choice, giving the user the control to demand what they need, when they need it, and where, allowing people to craft the services they desire.