IIM Amritsar successfully held its sixth annual HR conclave, Yukti'21, in VC mode on August 7th and 8th, 2021. 'Reimagining HR in the Era of Technology' was the topic of the first-panel discussion, while 'Work from everywhere: Breaking away from the notions of Yesteryear' was the topic of the second-panel discussion. The subject's focus was on measuring the pandemic's emotional impact and the evident physical and mental health consequences. Heads of HR from prestigious firms such as WIPRO, Airbus India, UnitedHealth Group, and others served as panelists for both themes. The speakers presented their perspectives on the topics based on their extensive industry expertise. They also spoke with the students, motivating them in these uncertain times by giving some mantras for future job preparation and how workplace dynamics are continuously evolving. They underlined the need to stay current regarding skills and being relevant in the present market.
Organizations have been adopting technologies at a very rapid pace. The emergence of new-age technology options and the pandemic have played a pivotal role in endorsing these technological advancements among the corporates. The discussion enunciated the fact that technology adoption was started long back, but the actual pace to it was provided in the times of pandemic. The use of technology can be "Tricky, Complicated and yet Tempting." Organizations can use technologies to attract the new-age talent since the millennials are very attached to the technologies and want to stay associated with them.
Another problem that emerged from the discussion was the presence of skill gaps in the job providers and job seekers. There is more demand for jobs than supply in the market still, and retention of employees is an enormous challenge for employers. Matching the most appropriate skill set with the job is critical in such a scenario. The mismatch between these two has led to increased attrition rates and deteriorating employee relationships. Towards the conclusion, the discussion also pondered over the emergence of the gig economy, questioning its sustainability in the corporate world.
Work from anywhere can redefine old conceptions of work, with people and businesses increasingly communicating in mind-to-mind meetings and creative fusions, rather than the prior approach of physical attendance, hierarchical communication, and hours spent within office buildings. Remote working is the logical next step in a global world, with its flexibility facilitating worldwide collaborations and developing global talent pools. Diversity and inclusion have always been a challenge for organizations. The discussion delved deeper into the challenges of working from everywhere and the organization's delivery of "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion promises."
In addition, the importance of reimagining everything for the future is inevitable with or without COVID was emphasized. Work is not about where to go; it is about what to do, and the pandemic has clarified this thought. Authentic leadership requires reinventing and reinvesting in work culture to use technology in the hybrid working mode. Given that around 12 Crore people have lost their jobs, there is a need to address new opportunities and create opportunities for those willing to take them up. The discussion ended on a high note, with the leaders being optimistic about how promising the future is with technological advancements playing a vital role in increasing employment opportunities. However, it cannot compensate for the trust built after physical interactions. Technology is the enabler of this change, and the choice to use it judiciously lies in our hands.
