Online meetings are becoming more and more common, not least due to a certain global pandemic that is pushing employees around the world to work from home. Suddenly companies are having to figure out how to continue normal business without all being in the same room. When it comes to face-to-face meetings this can be particularly challenging.
Read moreWhat to do before, during and after your online meetings
The world has been thrown into a unique state of collective vulnerability (defined as that emotion we all experience during times of uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure). Never before have we found ourselves in the same collective boat across geographies, cultures, races, genders, ages, religions and status.
On 23 March 2020, the Compensation Commissioner published, by way of Government Gazette, a ‘Notice on Compensation for Occupational-Acquired Novel Corona Virus Diseases (COVID-19). The Notice came into effect on 23 March 2020.Â
Read moreWhat compensation can you get if you contract Corona Virus at work?Â
South African law does not place an obligation on employees to disclose their medical information or status. However, an employer has an obligation to provide a safe working environment. Monitoring those who attend the workplace, and whether they pose a risk to other employees, falls within the general employer duty to provide a safe workplace. Given the circumstances around the Coronavirus, if an employer instructs their employees to inform the employer if they are at risk, then the employee will be obliged to disclose this to their employer. If the employee fails to comply, it may be possible that the employee can be held liable for misconduct. However, this will depend on the circumstances of each case.
Read moreQ&A – pressing issues employers are addressing in light of the Coronavirus outbreak
On first blush there is ample reason to be miserable. The economic data released earlier this week has once again confirmed that South Africa is in a recession. An investment downgrade is more likely to happen than not to, and the lack of tangible progress in South Africa gives little reason to cheer. Add load shedding, crime and the fact that the Corona Virus is around the corner, and one must wonder why more of us aren’t medicated. I imagine it’s partly because we can no longer afford it.
A number of international and local companies have requested that their employees work from home due to the dire consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. With some employees also opting to self-quarantine, there are a number of labour law considerations that South African businesses will have to consider.
Hot desking, the idea that a desk in an office is used my many people whenever they find it free, has mushroomed in use over the past decade despite growing evidence that it’s unpopular with workers – and possibly bad for them too.Â
Read moreThe hot desk has turned into a hot mess – why it’s time for an office rethinkÂ
The world is evolving at an alarming rate. As a result, businesses have to adapt to be able to find the right talent to take their organizations into the future. To fulfil this need, companies need to begin by addressing their HR practices.
Advice abounds for the suddenly remote workers across the globe on how to adjust to the new normal for the foreseeable future, yet leaders of companies and teams – who may have resisted the idea of remote work until now – may need an even greater mindset shift during these trying times.
Read moreLeading remotely: Management mindshift needed in time of crisis
On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would go into 21-day national lockdown, from midnight, Thursday 26 March 2020 to midnight, 16 April 2020. Â
Read moreSouth Africa lockdown – assistance to small businesses and employees through tax system
The entire world has seemingly turned into a ghost town as people are required by their respective governments to stay indoors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, thanks to the wonders of the internet, there are a lot of us who can still continue earning our daily wage by working remotely from the comfort of our homes and doing so will keep us safe from the deadly virus that lurks outside.
Read moreHow to make home a better place to work remotely during the quarantine
Today’s work culture in most economies in the world requires team leaders to motivate their team members at all times. It is nearly impossible these days for employees to work optimally and reach deadlines when they feel unappreciated or under-motivated, even as much as today’s labor market has more dynamic, educated and skilled individuals than in the past. If you want to motivate your team members to think creatively and give their all towards a project, you must work towards improving your communication skills.
Read moreHow to improve your communication skills and motivate your team
Every company out there needs a capable HR team. Why? Well, because their performance is determined by the performance of their staff, which is directly affected by how well they are managed by HR. Sure, HR is indispensable but good HR doesn’t come cheap.
Read moreCost of Human Resources: Additional expenses to the company and how to handle them
On the 8th March, we celebrated International Women’s Week, which focused on forging a gender-equal world, celebrating women’s successes, and raising awareness of historic and present bias. There’s a lot of discussion around women in the workplace and underrepresentation in industry — 5% of US ownership in the tech industry is women, and only 2.9% of black women study STEM-related bachelor’s degrees across the world.
Working at the dining table may be a novel experience for office workers who are staying home because of the Coronavirus. As for managers who are used to having their staff where they can see them, the thought of controlling a distributed workforce may be adding to their worries.
Read moreWe’re all giggers now so what can we learn from those who’ve always worked from home?