Editor’s Note

The Covid-19 pandemic has radically changed the way we live and work.

As companies continue to navigate workspace transitions, there are many things that should be taken into account. HR leaders must carefully weigh all the implications when considering the different workforce models and ensure that no one is left behind because of gender, age or economic status. Organizations must create environments in which employees and teams can interact quickly with each other in ways that feel intuitive to them.
 

When transitioning back to physical offices, companies must prioritize their employees' safety and how their employees' needs may have changed from the last time they worked in the office. Things have drastically changed regarding employees’ workplace expectations for safety, personal schedules, and at-home responsibilities to name a few. Being cognizant of these changes will enable companies to create agile workforce planning strategies to lead companies into a post Covid-19 pandemic work environment. Our cover article, Engaging With Employees As They Transition Into Post-Pandemic Workspaces by Elaine Coffman identifies 4 ways to keep employees supported, engaged, and invested in their role.

Recognizing the correct path to take in a time where the future is heavily undetermined can be difficult. However, preparedness can still be achieved with the insights and tools presented to us right now. Take advantage of the opportunity to test new business strategies, as everyone is learning to restructure their business after Covid-19. Guy DiMemmo’s article, Workforce Strategies For Navigating The Post Pandemic Era, provides some valuable insights on how to reimagine the future of work.

The era of purely physical office locations for organizations is a thing of the past. Creating a permanent, sustainable hybrid workplace is now perhaps the most critical management task to get right, says Ajay Kaul in his article, Hybrid Workplace Is The New Future – Are You Prepared?

The impact on corporate culture, which is affected whenever something alters “how things are done around here,” could be significant. The decisions around whether and how to make hybrid permanent as the pandemic emergency ends will be yet another test for leaders. Read Mark Marone's article, How Should Leaders Manage  A Hybrid Workforce, for more insights on why leaders will also need to take a closer look at the interpersonal impacts of the hybrid arrangement.

In brief, it is not easy to strictly define how workplaces should be or what workplace strategies should be adopted in the post-Covid world. Re-engaging the workforce and re-inventing the workplaces that can promise a safe environment, where people can enjoy their work and achieve the objectives of their organizations will be preferred.

We hope you enjoy reading all the articles and get back to us with your valuable feedback.

Cheers!
 

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