Whichever way one looks, people seem to be stressed, anxious, and in most cases facing a deep sense of insecurity. Employees are worried not only about their own health and well-being but also of their loved ones.

They are further stressed by the possibility of job loss due to the pandemic, with many businesses announcing layoffs. This is impacting morale and motivation of the employees. This, in turn, is causing a dip the productivity levels across organizations, they definitely want to avoid.

Hence keeping employees engaged and motivated in the post-COVID world has become one of the topmost HR priorities.

All businesses are adjusting to a completely new model of work – employees are either working remotely, or in staggered shifts.

In each case, it is essential for organizations to reassure the employees in these difficult times. They need to improve their motivation levels to ensure better productivity. A few key steps that organizations should look at taking:



1. Create a sense of belonging

To motivate employees during and even after the pandemic, organizations should reassure them that they are still an integral part of the organization. Organizations need to communicate extensively with their employees and share any significant update without delay.

The organization should deal with employees in an empathetic and patient manner. Also, they need to be provide clear and precise information to employees about any changes in their roles, responsibilities and expectations from them. 


2. Listen to what the employees have to say

Organizations should encourage employees to express their views and opinions about various issues. Hence, seeking ideas from the employees as inputs for products, policies and processes can make them feel valued and improve their motivation levels. In fact, this will help increase their involvement in the business operations and decision-making of the organization and motivate them.


3. Focus on improving Teamwork and Collaboration

It is important for organizations to focus on improving teamwork and collaboration between their employees in the post COVID world. These can have a significant impact on driving employee engagement. Organizations should make use of various online tools and platforms to make it easier for their remote and on-site employees to stay connected and enhance teamwork.


4. Seek Regular Feedback

Seeking regular feedback from the employees has gained even greater significance in the current times. By doing so, organizations can understand their concerns, especially if they provide negative feedback to vent their frustrations.

In such cases, it is imperative for organizations to provide appropriate counselling for reducing the stress of such employees rather than criticizing them and breaking down their confidence even further.


5. Be sure to Appreciate and Recognize Employees

Another initiative that has gained greater significance during and after COVID is that of recognizing the hard work of their employees. Hence, effective and timely employee recognition can provide a big boost to the motivation levels of the workforce.

In fact, organizations should consider recognizing employee behaviors and efforts made by employees in light of the various challenges faced during and after the COVID-19 crisis. 


6.. Provide Employees with the authority to make decisions

This is the right time for the organization to check the decision-making capabilities of the employees. In addition to assuring the employees that they enjoy the trust of the management, such initiatives provide them with the requisite learning required for taking up leadership roles. Therefore, employees can feel more responsible and motivated.