Hiring in a High-Unemployment, Post-COVID World
As the COVID-19 pandemic eases and businesses resume operating, many of the more than 40 million unemployed Americans may be knocking on your door. Let’s look at hiring in 2020, both in terms of planning and interviewing.
As the COVID-19 pandemic eases and businesses resume operating, many of the more than 40 million unemployed Americans may be knocking on your door. So perhaps before the wave comes in, now would be a good time to review some tips on how to rethink and possibly refashion recruitment policies and interview practices to adapt to what may be a very new business world.
Let’s look at hiring in 2020, both in terms of planning and interviewing.
Planning ahead
Reimagining remote work policies
If there’s been any inadvertent benefit whatsoever to COVID-19, it’s that companies realized a remote workforce was highly viable. Organizations, including HireRight, wisely closed their offices as soon as the pandemic struck, providing employees worldwide all the tools and capabilities necessary to maintain productivity and continue operations without the slightest interruption in service to valued customers. Organizations may take this opportunity to review their policies regarding working remotely. They may ensure they have standardized their software, hardware, and training programs required for teams to operate from home. HireRight offers a free tip sheet on using video meeting software so all employees appear in their best light and communicate most effectively.
Adopting succession measures
In some cases, senior executives became too sick to work and organizations floundered when such key employees were unavailable. A plan for succession can limit such potential problems. Encourage essential employees to train a team member on how to take over should they become unavailable. A system-wide backup program could prove invaluable in the future.
Tuning up for the Gig Economy
If you ordered food or groceries to be delivered to your home during the pandemic, you’ve realized the Gig Economy is an important part of our economy in general. In fact, they aren’t so much “gigs,” which denotes a temporary assignment, as they are an “independent” workforce. Imagine how difficult things may have been these past few months without these entrepreneurs keeping things functioning. And they’ll continue to pursue jobs that offer flexibility and latitude. Companies such as Uber and Airbnb have made a significant impact on business and are anticipated to continue and even accelerate growth. Keeping the needs of the now task-oriented worker in mind when seeking to fill vacancies can prove advantageous.
Review your benefits packages
Now is a great time to take a look at your current offerings and ensure your benefits are competitive. Review your sick leave policy and health coverage first. How attractive your financial package is may mean the difference between landing and losing the most qualified candidates.
Final Thoughts
It’s going to be a different world, and now would be an opportune time to review and, if necessary, bring recruiting and hiring practices up to date. Again, at the time of this writing, more than 42.6 million Americans have filed jobless claims since the shutdown began in mid-March, and employers now have a fantastic opportunity to hire highly qualified and motivated workers. Keep your employment practices in line with today’s labor pool’s needs, help ensure a safe and secure hire through stringent HireRight background checks, and together we can help America through a speedy recovery.
Release Date: June 8, 2020
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HireRight is a leading provider of on-demand employment background checks, drug and health screening, and electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify solutions that help employers automate, manage and control background screening and related programs.