The COVID19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the workplace, with rapid adaptation to remote working across the public sector in the past 11 months. In 2021, 20% of public sector workers will be remote working, and workers will have a legal right to request remote work and the right to disconnect from work. The changing workplace creates many challenges and opportunities for organisations, and based on my research and practice, the new world of work needs to encompass:
- flexible hybrid working arrangements, underpinned by best practice policies
- new approaches to talent acquisition to ensure equality and improve diversity & inclusion
- improved wellbeing, with a big focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing
- safe workplaces (office and remote based)
Research highlights the role of HR at the forefront of organisations’ responses to the pandemic. Our online accredited 3 day certificate in HR Management has been adapted to reflect changing HR priorities and to equip HR professionals with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to adapt to the changing environment. It is an intensive and highly interactive programme, and feedback from previous programmes has been exceptionally positive. I look forward to our forthcoming programme which starts on 25 February 2021.
Sile O’Donnell, Associate Trainer, PAI