It is easy to forget how issues in the workplace affect employers as much as employees. Especially in these unprecedented times, there's more to being the boss than meets the eye. There's no way to talk about challenges in the office without mentioning the effects of the global pandemic.
Besides the familiar issues employers face in the place of work, the new challenges due to COVID-19 is a pretty kettle of fish. From implementing safety protocols to motivating employees working remotely and in the office, employers working tirelessly to rise above these challenges.
Here are seven major challenges employers will likely face in the office.
Due to recent pandemics, there are protocols to ensure that every employer runs a safe workplace. Considering how every human would prioritize their safety over anything else, compliance should be easy. However, employers face the challenge of implementing health and safety measures in the workplace.
For instance, not everyone supports the COVID-19 vaccination. This makes it difficult for employers to enforce safety policies. Some companies fire employees who refuse to comply. It ultimately puts employers in a tough spot, especially when some of their best assets don’t abide by these rules.
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In a typical workplace, employees charge both their personal and official electronic gadgets. The list of gadgets employees plug into the socket at work include;
One of the primary causes of fire hazards is charging phones or laptops with counterfeit and unsafe chargers. Preventing and curbing this occurrence is crucial yet challenging. Besides fire hazards, some employees charge their gadgets such as heavy duty extension cord could cause a trip hazard. Also, employers could install charging lockers to ensure the safety of gadgets and workers in the office.
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In a survey of 3,000 workers, 64 percent would prefer permanent remote work over a $30,000 raise. Although working remotely is becoming the “new norm”, most employees retain a portion of their workforce in the office. However, it comes with some challenges. It implies that employers would have to manage two sets of employees – those who work from home and those in the office.
The financial implications are also a concern for employers since there will be a need to invest more in software suited for remote work. From nose masks to more sophisticated measures of office sanitization, safety processes do not come cheap. It is a challenge that will take some getting used to for any employer.
More than 52 percent of Americans would prefer a hybrid work arrangement. This model would allow them to work remotely for some days while they go to the office on other days. With this arrangement, team building becomes a difficult task. Team building is vital to the productivity of employees as individuals and as a unit.
Although meetings can be held via video conference calls, it doesn’t have quite the same effects as having everyone together in one place. Another challenge with having employees who work remotely is motivating them. There is bound to be some complacency and a dip in motivation at some point.
As employers, there are more things to worry about besides the productivity of their workforce. Ensuring fairness is one of them. Times have changed, and there is a need to make every employee feel equally respected and appreciated. Discrimination and inequity have many faces which could be tough to spot. Implementing equal pay for men and women can be challenging. Likewise, having a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination against ethnicity, race, or beliefs is not easy to realize.
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A typical workplace comprises people from all walks of life. Even though every employee is working towards a common goal, there will be friction between them occasionally. Resolving conflict between employees can be a challenge depending on the gravity of the situation.
In the workplace, there are bound to be communication gaps between different parties. Likewise, there is workplace bullying, harassment, and discrimination which could spark conflict. For employers, this can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Data is one of every organization’s greatest assets. As modern technology keeps advancing, employers risk losing company and employee data to unauthorized third parties. Thus, employers strive to implement a comprehensive cybersecurity plan.
To execute this plan, employers have to work on assembling or hiring a team of experts. Their job would be to identify the possible threats. This team would include professionals in various fields: IT, HR, and the legal department. Furthermore, this team would review the security protocols and educate the employees on data security measures.
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Conclusion
When it comes to challenges in the office, people think about the employees first. However, it is even more difficult for some employers to cope with the “new norm” than employees. Keeping employees motivated, ensuring equality, and balancing the books can be challenging for employers.
In addition, the effects of the global pandemic make these challenges even sterner as employers struggle to implement safety and security protocols. While employees only have to worry about abiding by the new changes, employers have sleepless nights counting the cost of implementing them.
