Human relations, and Covid

A survey by Antal and Eventory, showed how managers in the current - pandemic situation evaluate the issue of employee relations. Nearly 65% of managers believe that Covid-19 has hindered external and internal cooperation. Our attention was also drawn to the fact that there is a strong need to reformulate goals and tasks for employees - and consequently their competencies. The aforementioned Antal and Eventory survey, following the title "Business meetings and events in times of change," included almost all HR representatives of the sales and marketing industries. The need for remote onboarding, i.e., the introduction of new employees, also appeared to be a confession.

Restrictions and distance

Interpersonal communication in the work environment has become very difficult since companies have moved to remote working - either completely or hybrid. When an employee had a problem with something in the pre-pandemic era, he could calmly talk to his supervisor face-to-face. This simple act like human contact has a key impact on our very ability to communicate, and not only in terms of content, but also in the very important emotional layer. In more than one post we have emphasized that non-verbal communication in its entirety is about 80% (various studies, variously report these figures, but oscillate around this number). A key role in maintaining such important relationships in the work environment, there were also joint training and company events, which have virtually ceased to exist. Many companies "saved themselves" as much as they could by creating online meetings during which company gifts were sent to the homes of their employees. A great example of creativity was one large pharmaceutical company, which offered its employees a listeners-only formula during remote meetings, with the idea that each employee was to go out for a walk during the meeting to listen to the agenda in peace and quiet in nature.

Conclusions of the report

The report summarizing the survey indicated that despite the gradual lifting of restrictions and the return of employees to offices, remote work, or hybrid work, will stay with us for longer. Nearly 58% of survey respondents indicated that the hybrid work model will be the most used in the future. From a business perspective, this is a natural corollary to the restrictive solutions that have been introduced. Greater online attendance or lower organizational costs are undoubtedly determinants. However, there are downsides as well, and here comes the first and main problematic or at least challenging reason - human contact. According to survey respondents, during traditional offline events it was easier to establish relationships, build a network of contacts, and ultimately lead to a deal. HR representatives (77%) are responsible for organizing meetings whether online, hybrid or completely stationary in the majority of companies, so undoubtedly this group of specialists has their hands full. The above survey is from February 15-28 of this year. It was conducted using the CAWI method and involved a group of 316 HR managers.