Summary: As remote work becomes more common, HR is still crucial for maintaining compliance, fostering company culture, and helping workers be happy and effective. Check out this article to learn more about why HR is essential for the success of your organization.
As more employees work remotely and off-premises, companies may question HR's role in fostering company culture and maintaining work-life balance. In today's automated world, companies may question the relevance of HR due to the streamlined HR processes.
Here are four ways in which HR continues to have a vital role in the success of your organization.
1. Enforcing wage and hour regulations and compliance
Employees who telecommute remain subject to most of the same employment laws as those in the office. They stay under the jurisdiction of workers' compensation protection for injuries sustained while working and liability for workplace injuries. Establishing good boundaries between work and non-work hours and spaces can be challenging.
It's imperative, however, that you ensure that your workers maintain a safe working environment in their offsite or home offices and comply with wage and hour laws in effect for their area. HR can ensure that employees are educated about their rights and responsibilities while telecommuting and can maintain those records as part of employees' files.
2. Helping workers be happy, efficient, and effective
Studies have shown that happy employees are more productive employees, and working from home frequently helps keep your employees happy and productive. But keep giving workers performance reviews and professional support even if they aren't on-site. Knowing who is doing what and how is vital for HCM (Human Capital Management). HR can help workers set goals – personally and professionally – and monitor their reported work hours and achievements and the progress and evolution of their goals.
Further, remember to encourage work-life balance in your offsite employees, who can still experience work and life stress. Encourage healthy initiatives, nutrition/wellness programs, and other mental and physical health services for all employees, including those who work remotely.
3. Making sure workers maintain certifications, continuing education, and professional networking opportunities
Professional development is vital for all employees, and professional networking may be even more critical for offsite employees. Working from home can also foster a sense of isolation from casual professional colleagues. Also, employees can easily forget to maintain certifications and continuing education requirements that they previously fulfilled on-site through the company. HR should encourage work-from-home employees to attend in-person networking, certification, or continuing education events that the company can track. Helping all employees maintain proper certification and professional relevance benefits their professional development and safeguards your organization from non-compliance.
4. Fostering company culture
A decentralized workplace can harm organizational politics and company culture. Employees interacting mainly online rather than in person can alter the group dynamics and lead to misunderstandings. Although working from home can reduce "water cooler politics," it can magnify other disagreements and enhance employee polarization.
HR should be diligent in fostering company culture and improving employee relationships, ensuring that the company comes together in various ways. This can encompass everything from weekly Skype sessions to company-sponsored retreats and events. HR should regularly check in with employees and managers to continue facilitating the company's corporate values. Learn more how HR navigates the hybrid workplace.
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