HR leaders plan for the next phase of COVID-19

Long story short: HR leaders plan for the next phase of COVID-19

September 17, 2021 10:54 AM

What’s next in the world of work? It’s a question on the minds of HR leaders and professionals, trying to make the best choices for their employees.

In this week’s top stories, the EBN team highlights 13 exceptional leaders using their talent and passion for work to plan for an uncertain future. The winners of our first annual Excellence in Benefits Awards have gone above and beyond to support and prepare for whatever comes next, sharing their innovative ideas and business plans with our EBN audience. Check out all of the winners and see the advice they have to share.

Read more: Excellence in benefits 2021

A major player in the future of work is Zoom, whose CIO spoke with EBN to share his predictions for what’s next. Obviously, the answer is more technology, but more time away from our screens, too. That’s an idea picking up steam as employers contemplate the benefits of a four-day workweek. This schedule does wonders for employee morale and mental health by helping employees set healthier boundaries while having time to tend to their personal needs.

Read all of our top stories from this week below:

Excellence in Benefits Awards: Meet our 2021 winners

Our brand new awards series highlights leaders across the HR, benefits and tech worlds who have moved through the last year and a half with empathy, thoughtfulness and a dedication to innovation.

From delivering thoughtful benefits to employers and helping companies support furloughed workers to giving a much-needed makeover to talent recruitment and helping employees build financial security, these stories demonstrate a cross-industry dedication to creating better workplaces. See all of the winners who made our list:

Read more:

Excellence in Benefits Awards: Meet our 2021 winners

Zoom CIO shares predictions for the future of work

As chief information officer of Zoom, Harry Moseley hasn’t just observed how industries have reacted and adapted over the past 18 months — he’s helped them do it. The teleconferencing platform inarguably helped businesses keep moving forward through an unprecedented moment in history, and as new developments and COVID-19 variants disrupt plans to return to “normal,” the Zoom team is continuing to roll out new features and products to help workplaces adjust.

The CIO shared his predictions on the future of work, how

technology will factor into a hybrid world

, and why it’s important for leaders and employees alike to feel empowered to take a break in this Q&A with Employee Benefit News.

Read more:

Zoom’s CIO shares predictions for the future of work

Work less, feel better? The 4-day workweek tackles mental health challenges

While 40% of employees are in favor of the four-day workweek, just 15% of employers currently offer this schedule, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. But now is the time to experiment with new ways of working and take advantage of the proven benefits, says Dr. Kamila Sip, senior director of neuroscience research at consultancy NeuroLeadership.

“Companies have experimented with this and found greater productivity, greater engagement and greater gender equality in the workplace,” Sip says. “The workforce right now is very flexible and dynamic, and it’s much easier for us to process that change because everything else has already been shaken.”

Read more:

Work less, feel better? The 4-day workweek tackles mental health challenges

How to navigate vaccine mandates as an employer

On the heels of

President Biden’s announcement

requiring businesses with over 100 employees to mandate vaccinations against COVID, employers are under even more pressure to know where they stand on vaccines and COVID precautions.

How can employers navigate these complex issues, while keeping the safety of their employees top of mind? Carrie Cherveny, senior vice president of strategic client solutions and compliance at HUB International, breaks down what vaccine mandates mean for employers and employees alike as employers look at the next phase of their reopening plans in this interview with Employee Benefit News.

Read more:

How to navigate vaccine mandates as an employer