-7 out of 10 businesses have embraced a remote
or hybrid working model.
-Only 6% of employers require physical presence at the
workplace
Companies are further adopting a flexible working
model, where employees work from home, as well as on-site. According to a
recent market research conducted by Randstad Hellas, is was shown that remote
working is essential to maintaining financially healthy businesses and allow
employees to keep their jobs. The research was conducted between August 31 and September
4 and included HR executives from multiple industries of the Greek market.
A few months past the lockdown, employees have
returned to work. However, the impact of the current financial crisis is
evident throughout the Greek market. As a result, it is crucial to reassess the
traditional work model, taking measures that will control job elimination. Accordingly,
companies have been evaluating current work models and practices, focusing on
strategies that will allow them to maintain their workforce.
2 out 10 companies have fully applied the remote work model until
the end of the year. 5 out of 10 companies have chosen the hybrid work model,
with 50% - 80% of employees working from home 3 days per week. Only 6% of
companies continue to apply the traditional work model, with all employees
working on site. Moreover, 23% of companies will allow remote working to 10% –
30% of their employees.
Plans on safely returning to work
In the post Covid19 era, new methods and procedures
have been employed in an attempt to maintain a balance between employee safety
and work productivity. The ‘new normality’ includes free diagnostic tests,
staying in quarantine for several days when needed, workplace expansion, rotating
in-office presence, as well as remote working. However, it must be said that a
flexible or hybrid work model is not efficient when it comes to Sales, Production,
or Logistics departments. On the other hand, it can be successfully applied in
departments such as HR, Financial, Accounting and further executive teams.
New issues about workforce, recruiters, HR, and
governments
While the traditional work model is being revised in order
to control employment downsizing across sectors, the current situation also
raises questions about employee productivity, workflow, equal opportunities, as
well as employment law updates regarding employee safety. Moreover, there is also doubt when it comes
to professional development, due to the global recession. According to recent
studies, it was shown that global unemployment rates will double during the
current year, reaching 11,5%.
Randstad’s Managing Director in Greece, Mrs Leigh
Ostergard, stated: ‘Through our
latest research, we conclude that the return to the office period has been
overall successful. This is a result of flexible measures taken by companies at
multiple levels. Since the current situation is ambiguous, it is possible that everyday
work life will be further affected. As a result, HR teams are empathizing with
employees while focusing on hygiene measures in order to protect them, as well
as enhance their productivity. The current study has shown that the hybrid work
model has been the most popular and most successful in terms of employee
retention. Overall, companies must understand the important of retraining their
employees, helping them embrace the latest, digital environment of the ‘new
work life’. The current crisis has shown us that a workforce needs encouragement,
trust, and respect, in order to be able to positively adapt to the new
reality.’