Get well soon INDUSTRY, here’s your FIRST- AID KIT!
COVID19 has affected mankind in many dimensions that we just can’t keep counting the unprecedented effects it has made personally and professionally to individuals. If HR has been looking for a time to heal workforce practices, to set the recalibrate button, and to reconnect with employees as well re-establish the business, this is the time to heal every Individual Industry!
Look at the compulsory element of any industry….AN EMPLOYEE! There is no assurance or the situation around which is now giving surety of the employment. As we all know that interdependent industries may not have immediate but will surely have future impact on each other’s existence.
In such scenario here’s an 8 point first aid kit for individual EMPLOYEES:
1. We have learnt to live in basic tools. Let’s continue the same atleast for next 1 year after the Lockdown opens
2. Let’s avoid unnecessary purchases
3. Minimize use of resources such as printing, stationary, electricity and other expenses those can be avoided very easily
4. Help each other to cope-up with the current stress and targets
5. Treat the performance of your colleague as your own performance
6. Help the Individual who is financially weak, from your group or organization as far as possible in your own capacity
7. Be ready and proactive for reduction in salaries / benefits to help employers fight with the current challenge. You know your industry and you know it better that where it stands as on today.
8. Be united and protective but don’t be aggressive and demanding beyond the limits
Now look at the BASIC element of any Industry…AN EMPLOYER! As the country entered Lockdown 2.0, all the Employers are still clueless about the future. The projections and planners have tremendously failed in 2020 for every Industry beyond anybody’s imagination. Whether it is an industry in demand i.e. HEALTH INDUSTRY or an industry which is almost on the death bed i.e. TOURISM INDUSTRY.
Now an 8 point first aid kit for EMPLOYERS:
1. Be open and honest with your eminent resource EMPLOYEE
2. Since all projections and predictions are null and void now…instead of planning concentrate on OPERATING
3. Don’t be in a hurry to lay off or issue pink slips, but instead keep your employees informed about your business standing openly
4. Concentrate on tapping business opportunities those are real and not reeled
5. Start walking the way of new Innovations and expanded avenues those were never ever being imagined
6. Striving Government’s support is natural. However knowing the fact that the Government as well is not sure of the future, don’t expect much. Rather concentrate on self-strengthening
7. Effective implementation of involvement of work force with tools such as suggestion scheme, improvisation, active participation in planning will definitely give boost on industrial savings and increased productivity.
8. Rather than layoff, work out options of voluntary participation / temporary break options with your employees with assurance of continuous service period, business ownership along with responsibility sharing so that the employee can equally feel the pinch of the situation and contribute effectively
(The article is authored by Ashwini Patwardhan, GM -HR & Operations, OHRPL, a HR and Statutory Expert with over 17 years of experience in the field. A peoples person forever you may find Ashwini scribbling some fantastic thoughts on any given topic at any given time)
You can reach her on ashwinip82@gmail.com
