Flexibility needed to adapt to guidelines
Managers not only have to ensure the wellbeing of their employees, they also need to organise complex schedules for a diverse workforce of regular and part-time workers – a task that has not become easier during the pandemic, due to changing government guidelines, shortages of PPE equipment and lack of funding. “Now, more than ever, organisations need to be flexible and adapt to the latest central and local guidelines,” Erik says. He explains: “The most urgent considerations now include keeping staff movement between worksites to a minimum to control the spread of infection, managing higher than normal levels of absenteeism due to illness and self-isolation, complying with maximum capacity and social distancing rules, and being able to notify staff quickly and effectively. All of this while keeping employees as engaged and happy as possible.”