Time for a workplace audit: 3 policies and practices for a post-COVID culture

Published March 24, 2022 3:59 PM EDT 2 Min Read

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, most operations have gotten so accustomed to remote and hybrid work that the average day can feel like business as usual. But it’s worth remembering that for employees, the pandemic is still having a disorienting impact, leaving workers feeling exhausted and disenchanted.

A recent survey from Workhuman, a human capital management software company, offered up some troubling insights on the state of the workforce. Fifty-four percent of workers feel mentally drained after every workday; 58% said they’re working on autopilot; and 44% have trouble staying focused.

Workhuman’s survey found that 50% of workers hired during the pandemic plan to look for a new job in the next 12 months, a significantly higher rate than employees that predate COVID-19. The reason, as French sees it, stems from joining a company in a virtual setting, which often made company culture feel out of reach.

“The reality of remote onboarding was something we could call a subset of optimal,” he says. “[When existing employees transitioned to remote work during the pandemic], they still had their memories of the office and friendships at work — but new hires had none of those things,” he says.

Stephanie Schomer

Editor-in-chief

Stephanie Schomer is the editor-in-chief of Employee Benefit News. She was most recently the deputy editor of Entrepreneur magazine and previously held positions at Entertainment Weekly, … Read full bio

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.

Hybrid Work Employee engagement

More From Employee Benefit News

Health and wellness

Employers optimistic on AI while workers report burnout and strain

New Transamerica study finds a widening gap between employer optimism about AI and technology and worker experiences of burnout, stress and financial strain.

By Jimmy Nesbitt

Reporter

Employee Benefits News

May 20

Diverse business team in a modern office during a meeting, discussing artificial intelligence strategy. Concept of AI innovation, teamwork, leadership, corporate planning, professional collaboration.

Workplace safety and security

Rising tide of workplace violence takes its toll

Nonprofit's low-cost insurance policy seeks to close coverage gaps seen in the wake of exclusions as attacks claim more than 2 million victims.

By Bruce Shutan

Contributing writer

April 14

Man standing between two arguing coworkers in office; fight in office; workplace violence

Benefits Think A practical approach to recovery-friendly workplaces enhances employee health and wellness

The CHRO of Premise Health shares key steps to establishing a supportive, thorough environment for those on the road to recovery from substance use disorders.

February 5

Elizabeth Reimer

Mental Health

Why workplace loneliness is the next mental health crisis

A quarter of workers have no friends at work, but the right approach to benefits and culture can help foster connection.

By Alyssa Place

Editor-in-chief

Employee Benefit News

August 12

Benefits Think 4 principles for creating smarter leave policies

Investing in collaborative planning, flexible return-to-work options, leading with empathy and tracking metrics that matter will pay morale and retention dividends.

August 6

Anant Agarwal

Aidora