We Get Work

Shell shocked by 2020, employers are at a crossroads in 2021. Whether deciding to return to the workplace or remain virtual, a mix of business as usual combined with the realities of COVID-19 will influence practically every decision.

This episode of We get Work ™ introduces our 2021: The Year Ahead for Employers report/forecast and identifies the top issues and trends facing employers in the new year.

The business world is looking to breathe a collective sigh of relief about getting to the end of 2020. But employers have to stay focused—year-end parties, performance evaluations, compensation and bonus structures all look different this year. Organizations need to anticipate challenges in order to minimize risk, all while keeping their employees engaged and motivated.

This episode of We get work™ discusses how familiar office norms are taking place in unfamiliar ways as we wind the year down and explores how to ensure a smooth end to 2020. 

A remote or hybrid-work environment presents privacy, confidentiality and security challenges that either were non-existent prior to March 2020, or at least not at pandemic level magnitude. Device usage, network access, data security and document retention are among the issues requiring employers to revisit protocols and user training to minimize risk.  

This episode of We get work™ offers best practices and recommendations that organizations can follow to ensure the highest levels of privacy and security compliance are met and your business is protected.

Work-life balance has always been elusive to define and achieve. While the pandemic managed to obliterate that delicate balance in one fell swoop, it also managed to level the playing field. Employers and their employees from every business and industry faced how to work from home, parent and educate and be on call 24/7. And we are still learning.

This episode of We get work™ explores how we wear multiple hats sharing the same location with our families as we work —and how by practicing grace with ourselves and our employees, we will find ways to thrive in the coming months.

Employers thought work from home would be a short term fix to a temporary challenge. As a new wave of COVID-19 cases continue to mount nationally and globally, it is time for employers to reconnect with remote employees, reengage and reset the expectations. 

This episode of We get work™ discusses lessons learned from employers on best practices in managing a remote workforce to optimize productivity and foster employee engagement. 

Felice Ekelman and Stephanie Peet 

The virtual workplace has blurred the line between our personal and professional spaces — but the behavior that constitutes harassment in the workplace remains the same. Comfortably sitting in our home office does not mean we are exempt from laws, regulations and company policies that govern the employer/employee relationship. Taking steps to clearly outline and reinforce company policies around harassment prevention, confidentiality and online behavior will help employers head off problems down the road.  

This episode of We get work™ explores positive virtual hygiene and offers tips to foster respectful work habits to maintain a harmonious workplace.

Tanya Bovée and Michael Thomas

Psychological safety in the workplace allows employees to speak up candidly with ideas, questions and concerns, and even make mistakes without fear of reprisal or adverse repercussions. The resulting security created by a culture that supports a safe workplace contributes to inclusivity and can improve performance as employees are able to be more engaged and connected at work.

This episode of We get work™ explores steps employers can take to foster psychological safety, in turn creating more mental space for employees to think creatively, share their unique perspectives and be more actively engaged in problem solving.

State laws will have a real and immediate impact on the workplace, regardless of who wins the White House. Issues including minimum wage, family leave and pay equity are traditionally legislated by state and local governments, and we often see those same bodies step up in the absence of federal policy or leadership on the topic.

This episode of We get work™ identifies issues at stake in states including New York, California, Texas and Indiana that will be significantly affected by the upcoming presidential election and analyzes how they could impact your business.

The election won’t cure COVID-19. But it may impact how employers handle and respond to the realities of the new workplace. As businesses around the world reopen and reset, employers face a complicated and unprecedented situation of returning employees to work and implementing practices to keep the workplace COVID-19 free. Employers are being asked to assess symptoms, deal with employees who don’t want to wear masks, and manage complicated leave and remote work requests. In addition, many are planning for what to do when a vaccine becomes available. 

This episode of We get work™ discusses how the ever changing state of the law impacts your ability to run your business and keep your employees safe in the face of the continuing spread of COVID-19.   

Public support for like Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement have risen to prominence in recent months. But many advocates say more can and needs to be done. They are calling for action — in the form of pay equity for nonwhite workers. As employers consider how to address disparities in pay, they face a number of issues and potential pitfalls that can lead to costly litigation and damaging publicity. 

This episode of We get work™ addresses the areas of pay equity that, despite the best intentions, can present difficult and even insurmountable challenges for employers.