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Despite the fact that some changes have already been made, workforce managers in today’s world of business are constantly looking for methods to improve upon what they already have. The workplace has undergone the fastest change as a result of the global response to the pandemic. Working from home is now accepted as the new standard, and we have transitioned from digitising business and consumer relationships to doing the same for employers and employees.
What is workforce management?
A business uses a comprehensive set of procedures called “workforce management” (WFM) to maximise staff productivity. In order to complete a certain activity on a daily and hourly basis, WFM entails accurately anticipating labour requirements and designing and maintaining staff schedules. Additionally, it aids in monitoring employees’ performance on a daily basis.
Outdated workforce management
Tracking time and attendance on paper is the most archaic, outdated method available. Employers of this type of system typically use timesheet templates printed on paper, and employees manually enter the number of hours they worked and how much time they took off on any particular day. As you may guess, attempting to do this on paper can go horribly wrong, particularly if the workforce grows quickly.
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Modern workforce management trends
The worldwide trends of digitalisation and digital transformation have an impact on businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Employees can work from anywhere and at any time nowadays. That’s why you must follow the current trend as a business leader to be successful. Cutting-edge solutions for the retail industry can optimise staff through the following innovative technologies: augmented reality, scheduling flexibility for remote workers, increased use of robotics, automation, sensors, and application of blockchain technology and computer vision.
Changes in workforce management
An efficient solution makes it easier for organisations and contingent workers to interact legally and effectively in light of the rapidly changing workforce dynamics and the critical role they currently play in organizational growth and prosperity. For this reason, it’s crucial to include such solutions, such as services that help businesses gain a competitive edge by controlling the quality, effectiveness, and risk of their contingent workforce management while also cutting costs.
The use of self-service technologies
The new standard is on-demand service. Today, employees anticipate the same level of independence at work as they do as consumers, thanks to online banking, shopping, and information being available all the time. By enabling their staff to manage their schedules whenever and wherever they want, the businesses most likely to succeed are empowering their workforce. Through a company-specific web portal, data gathering tool, or mobile application, employees can directly handle everything from bidding for open shifts, disclosing availability, and requesting time off.
More flexible approach to work
Business leaders today have been gifted with a deeper understanding of what can and can’t be done outside of their organisations’ established processes, and the pandemic is forcing both the pace and size of workplace innovation. Many people are discovering ways to operate more easily, faster, and less expensively. It comes as no surprise that businesses are now thinking about implementing a transformational leadership style.
Working eight hours isn’t the norm
The eight hour workweek may have originated during the Industrial Revolution, but the technology revolution has introduced the nine to five weekday as outdated. Work time includes finishing duties at home, taking calls in the car on the way to work, and replying to emails before bed.
An environment that values honesty, openness, and trust
People are learning how to perform tasks differently and with much less supervision. They’re doing so by learning on the job what functions well at home and what doesn’t, as well as by attending virtual meetings that may have occurred in the past but never to the same extent.
It can be seen as ironic that despite social distance, many of us are relocating closer together. In the name of working remotely, we’re creating more flexible teams, communicating with one another more frequently, and connectivity has become important.
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Recruiting and retaining workforce
It costs money when employees leave. In fact, up to two hundred percent of an employee’s yearly pay can be spent on turnover. Therefore, according to the majority of managers, increasing staff retention should be a major goal for their companies. It’s important for all managers to understand this. The hiring and retention of quality employees is directly influenced by your personality, talent management strategy, and communication approach.
Adapting management and leadership skills
Industry and economic sectors were shaken by the pandemic, but people were probably the most affected by uncertainty. Business executives all over the world are adjusting their strategy to stay up with the challenges we face since there’s no clear-cut solution. As disruption and transformation become the new normal, it’s essential that company culture and leadership skills place a strong emphasis on empathy along with improving infrastructure and sharpening digital capabilities.
Summary
Undoubtedly, the global pandemic has altered the nature of the workplace for the better, and businesses of all sizes will need to exhibit some structural flexibility in order to adjust and place a greater priority on workforce welfare and work-life balance.
About the author: Stella van Lane is a passionate traveler and writer, in love with coffee, interior design, books, and good vibes.
