Biz Health 25 Jan
"As we head further into 2022, we still live in the reality of a pandemic that not only fundamentally changed us but has also introduced new strategies in the workplace. But even in the context of these challenges, we can still move forward with hope.
Source: Supplied. Sharlene Herandien, training manager at 21st Century.Source: Supplied. Sharlene Herandien, training manager at 21st Century.
Our strange new daily reality is now marked by social distancing, vaccinations, and other seemingly over-discussed and over-debated changes. The consistently hot, ongoing debates are clear signs that our reality is anything but straight-forward and subject to constant change.
Much debate and discussion has centred around the hybrid working environment. Over the past few years, we have collectively come to the realisation that the hybrid workplace, while still new and sometimes challenging, is beginning to work.
Craig Raath, executive director of 21st Century, a colleague, shared with me: “At the beginning of the pandemic, organisations were largely concerned about how they were going to control employees and manage performance. However, after just a few weeks, leadership in many organisations actually observed that performance had improved. In fact, a great number of people were arguably working too hard. The narrative has changed rather dramatically now because we are two years into this new way of living.”
Engagement rather than output is the challenge
“The reality is that while we are winning at creating agile hybrid strategies, we are somehow losing ground in awareness of our wellness. Organisations are struggling with engagement rather than output. Mental-health issues have taken up space in the media and in the boardroom. Athletes have pulled out of international events; celebrities have taken breaks and ordinary people have quit jobs, leadership roles and responsibilities, citing mental-health and wellness issues."
Read more:
