4 must-read articles from 2020 about how companies weathered the Covid-19 storm.
CHRO South Africa has been a much-needed platform for Top HR leaders to discuss the challenges, frustrations, and ideas for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, many organisations had to quickly navigate transitioning employees into remote working environments. The world remains uncertain with companies now slowly gearing up for their recovery phase. Here are four must-read articles about how companies weathered the Covid-19 storm in 2020.
1 Weighing the interests of society against the need for business survival
In a community conversation centred around leadership, Shirley Zinn, a seasoned HR leader serving as a non-executive director on many boards outlined the wide array of issues that HR leaders had to contend with, from the challenges that come with job insecurity and the impact that has on employees’ mental wellbeing, to the very real possibility that organisations will not survive if they do not make some difficult decisions to manage their finances.
“How do you influence the expectations of shareholders who still expect a return on their investment while also remaining committed to doing the right thing for our society?” questioned Shirley.
Adcorp’s chief people officer Vinolia Singh said she was feeling the heavy burden that comes with deciding the fate of employees and all their families, “especially when you consider that South Africa’s saving culture is almost non-existent which means people rely on their monthly salaries to survive.”
Looking through this long-term lens is something that resonated particularly well with Discovery’s chief people officer Tswelo Kodisang, who said it was important to be cognizant of the opportunities that would allow organisations to emerge stronger at the end of the crisis.
Also, Old Mutual group talent and learning executive Sanjana Joshua said that being the HR representative in strategic conversations had been eye-opening because it is space in which “you're managing immediate needs from an organisational sustainability perspective while, at the same time, applying thinking to the plan ahead approach and what that will mean for the human capital strategy and overall wellbeing of employees. Agile thinking and scenario planning become critical for human capital leaders at this time.”
2 Reboarding and engaging employees in a Covid-19 world
Employer branding expert Celeste Sirin explored how companies should be gearing up for their recovery phase. She said businesses should afford employees the opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate what they have learnt through the pandemic. In this insightful piece, she listed six things that leaders needed to consider and demonstrate in order to adapt to the new normal.
Among those insights was the suggestion that ‘Reboarding’ was the perfect opportunity to inject renewed purpose, direction and growth into each and every employee’s journey within an organisation.
Companies need to appreciate employees’ efforts, invite further ideas and celebrate each and everyone’s contribution.
3 Change Ambassadors come to the rescue
In this CHRO Interview, PPC Group Executive for HR Phindokuhle Mohlala says the company was better able to weather the Covid-19 storm with the assistance of the Change Ambassadors whose roles were to assist the organisation in cascading specific actions and skills in times of transition and uncertainty.
During lockdown, these Change Ambassadors aided the executive leadership team in keeping organisational morale up and maintaining contact with colleagues. They helped keep employees engaged during a time when isolation and anxiety threatened the mental wellbeing of employees.
“They have been invaluable to the organisation," says Phindo, adding that the Change Ambassadors also act as the sounding board for interventions that the company introduces.
4 Webinar reveals how to handle retrenchments the right way
On 29 July, CHRO South Africa hosted a webinar that examined the challenges HR leaders face when their organisations take the tough decision to retrench workers, especially during the Covid-19 crisis.
Baker McKenzie’s Employment Practice Group head Johan Botes provided some context around the legislative environment both locally and abroad when it comes to the way companies are responding to the pandemic.
National Union of Mineworkers president Joseph Montisetse discussed the union’s dealings with companies initiating Section 189A processes of retrenching employees en masse, as well as continuing negotiations around salary increases.
