APRIL - 2022HR TECH OUTLOOK8Sajjad Parmar, Head of Reward, eBay [NASDAQ: EBAY]ByAfter a tough 2020, 2021 has started on a positive note. With the Covid vaccines rolling out across the globe, there is much to look forward to as the world anxiously awaits to get back to normal. We are still a while away but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.As we progress onto new ways of working, most companies are looking at what the future of works looks like. The fundamental ways of working have shifted, and several key areas have come up which require thought leadership, critical thinking, and analysis. These areas in HR in my view require companies and leaders to come together and find a way that works best for them and their employees. There is no one size fits all and there are no right or wrong. Performance ManagementThis is not an easy solution. Companies have always struggled to have an effective performance management system (PMS) but in this shifted world, how do we ensure that we have a framework that meets the needs of the business. The new thinking around PMS pivots on manager­employee relationships where managers are more coaches rather than directors. With employees working from home, managers need to be able to trust their teams to do the right thing, provide coaching, and treat them as capable adults. This also means not having one conversation per year. The new PMS needs to find the balance between meeting business goals but ensuring employees feel satisfied with how their performance is evaluated. When companies say they have a pay for performance culture, often employees don't feel the same way. In this new world, it is even more critical that employees feel supported and that they trust their managers and leaders to assess their performance keeping in mind the external dynamics at play.Location Strategy / Permanent work from home A lot of noise around companies making working from home permanent or allowing employees to work from anywhere. In my view, easier said than done. There is enough research to show how effective face time is. There are already reports of increased burnouts due to extensive working from home. The last thing you want is for your employees to lose engagement and people skills by spending too much time behind a desk. This is not to say everyone needs to be back in the office again. Companies need to find the right balance that allows flexibility for their employees but brings them together as needed to spark the right levels of engagement and teamwork. Working from anywhere sounds fantastic but on a global scale, managing tax, compliance, mobility, and governance challenges are not to be taken lightly. Every employee working from a new location means more administration for companies. I am all up for increased Redefining HR Roles Sajjad Parmar
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