We are officially halfway through 2021! That means in just six short months we will close out another year. While many organizations have made progress on their plans, there are some still pondering over what move to make and when it should be made. But as the saying goes, time waits for no one, or in this case, no business. It is time to reassess your organizational objectives and create a plan to move forward. With that said, there is no better place to start than with your workforce in mind.
As people within the US reacquaint themselves with a life that was completely halted last year, organizations are busy making plans to return their workforce to the office. However, many employees are challenging their employers to reevaluate how they work. As many organizations navigated the uncertainties of last year, one thing has been made clearly obvious, most people can work successfully without the traditional office. In fact, a survey conducted by Blind, an app that provides a platform for anonymous career-related posts, revealed that 64% of employees prefer a hybrid return to work policy. What’s even more alarming, employees are leaving their current organization in pursuit of organizations that are willing to be more flexible.
In addition to considering how and where we work, organizations must continue to press forward in their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Issues around DEI continue to evolve globally, and organizations must learn how to address those issues and concerns. It should be noted that DEI is not limited to just employees of an organization, but also involves your customers, vendors, community, and more. Stakes are high with DEI and many stakeholders are evaluating organizations against their DEI initiatives. Ultimately, if DEI is overlooked within your organization, your business will be negatively impacted.
While every business has its own objectives, let’s not forget those who allow us to be in business, our workforce and stakeholders. As you continue with your plans (or create new plans), ensure that the people who support you feel supported.
