Uncertain times create unexpected problems. That could be the tagline for 2020 along with about a thousand other possibilities.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has put virtually every person and every company to the test, one of the most critical questions impacting economic recovery continues to be, “How do we keep companies open and employees safe and productive during and after the pandemic?”
In my more than 30 years in the staffing industry, just when I think I’ve have seen it all, new challenges emerge. The pandemic has caused employers, including Manpower, to tackle unimaginable questions:
How do manufacturers respond and reinvent their lines to create much needed PPE, ventilators, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, hospital equipment, and beyond?
It may not have felt like it, but as a country, we have been incredibly nimble. People and companies rose to the occasion and together invented solutions to keep things chugging, albeit slowly, along in the face of tremendous adversity.
As we continue to fight the pandemic, we are faced with the next dilemma: How can families balance work and care and education responsibilities as the nation grapples with back-to-school plans?
Parents are faced with seemingly insurmountable questions:
It can all be so overwhelming, it takes your breath away.
Employers, this is your moment. Your workforce is begging for you for options, for answers. What can you do?
Manpower supports up to 7,000+ clients on any given day with staffing needs and workforce solutions. In the era of COVID-19, we’re not pretending we have all the answers, however we have the workforce expertise, staffing solutions and network of best-in-class businesses to drive creative thinking and ultimately help you determine the best approach for your organization.
Let’s start with those employers who have employees who must be on-site for their jobs.
Review your workforce.
Even though they are working remotely they may still have work issues resulting from having kids, especially school age kids, who are home each day needing supervision of some sort.
The review is essentially the same as for on-site employees with, possibly, a bit more flexibility available.
Now, let’s really color outside of the lines and think about other ways in which employers might support? I find that this is the most difficult thing for most employers to do but can help companies seriously distinguish themself from the competition and accomplish their goals.
Consider the possibilities:
Get more ideas to consider for your own organization from our roundtable discussion with business leaders: “Outside The Lines: New Approaches to Today’s Extraordinary Workforce Challenges”
Retaining your skilled, knowledgeable workforce will be essential for business recovery. Now, more than ever, employers should do everything within their power to be as flexible as possible in order to keep valued employees.
In addition, embrace your role as a leader. Workers are looking to their employers for guidance and solutions. Don’t shy away from the challenge - Be a part of that solution. No one company has all the right answers to these new challenges, but together we can get creative, put people first and come out on top.
Since day one of the pandemic, Manpower has been focused on keeping America working safely. And we will continue to provide helpful guidance and expertise as we navigate the future of work together.
Through it all, try to remember this situation will not last forever. It may not happen tomorrow but, at some point, there will once again be stability. The actions we take today will determine our success for tomorrow. Embrace creative solutions and position your organization to be a premier employer of choice in your industry and your community. If you can preserve your workforce, you will be served well in the long-run.
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The content and opinions represented here should not be relied upon or construed as legal, financial and/or medical advice.
The law is changing literally every single day and can vary from state to state and even city to city. Please consult with your own Legal, HR and Finance resources and consider state and local law variations before making any policy or procedure changes.
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