by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK/ pic by TMR FILE

THE expectations of professionals and talents have changed as a result of Covid-19 which requires organisations and firms to change its strategies accordingly, recruitment experts Hays plc said.

Hays CEO Alistair R Cox said potential and existing employees will now expect different things from organisations, and this shift will require businesses to change their current people strategies.

“While it doesn’t necessarily mean a complete overhaul of current strategies, the way in which companies’ look to attract professionals will need to be altered in a number of fundamental ways.

“The coronavirus pandemic, and the monumental changes that have come with it, have spurred the acceleration of these trends. So, if you haven’t given them much thought or focus before, now is the time to focus your attention,” he said in a statement.

He said among the people strategies include the company’s purpose, and whether the organisation would need to shift it in light of the crisis by realigning brand messages and visibly demonstrate the value in their lifestyles.

“Even before the crisis, we were seeing a marked shift in professionals feeling increasingly compelled to join purpose-driven organisations that were aligned to their personal values.

“After all, while there was a lot of good in the world before the pandemic, there was still a lot that needed to be fixed, and, increasingly, we as humans felt personally accountable to play our part in the solution,” he said.

In addition, Cox said the elements of organisational culture will need to be accentuated, including demonstrating an even stronger commitment to continuous learning and upskilling to ensure that all employees are heard and prioritising health and addressing any trust issues.

Another people strategy to adopt would be to ensure both current and prospective employees see a secured future.

“Where possible, don’t neglect or put any pre-crisis promotion plans on hold. Revamp your traditional performance metrics and what ‘good looks like’ in a post-Covid-19 world.

“Be transparent about your strategic plans for the future and make it clear how each person fits into the bigger picture,” he said.

He added that employers should give their workers the freedom and autonomy to craft their roles and pursue their passions, as it would build confidence in the employer.

In addition, remote working should no longer be considered as a perk among Malaysian organisations, and Cox expects to see a permanent shift to more remote working where physically possible.

Cox further said it is important for organisations to provide resources and equipment for employees to work healthily and productively remotely, same with remote hiring and onboarding.

He noted that businesses must consider how remote interactions can give a fair representation of the organisation, whether virtual reality technology can play a more prominent role and how candidates can be assessed to work remotely.