Ms. Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, the Director of Human Resources of Vodafone Ghana, has encouraged organizations to insist on the productivity of employees and not their physical presence at the workplace.
According to the Director of Human Resources of Vodafone, the days of insisting on employees’ presence at the workplace are over. She thus, noted that it is about time employers prioritize the productivity of employees.
“The future of work is flexibility. If you are the employer who insists that I need to see you in the office otherwise you are not working, you will face problems.
“People want flexibility. People have grown accustomed to being able to control their time, work a schedule, and then undertake other tasks. So, coming back and saying, I’m going to take it all back from you will force your staff to look for other options.”
Ms. Hannah Ashiokai Akrong
Ms Akrong gave the advice at the 2022 edition of the HR Focus Conference, where she described how COVID-19 has altered the world of work and how workers have adapted to flexible working environments and flexible working hours.
The Importance of Trust in the Workplace
Ms. Akrong, while speaking on the importance of trust in the workplace, said for employees to develop an emotional connection to their organizations, senior management must be transparent in their communication and prove through their actions that they could be trusted, especially during times of crisis.
“Communication builds trust in leaders. What your company is doing must be communicated. When you ask your employees to make certain sacrifices during a crisis, they must understand the situation and realize from senior management’s actions that the firm is truly in crisis. They must not see senior leadership go out and buy the next new Range Rover while all other employees suffer.”
Ms. Hannah Ashiokai Akrong
Every year, HR Focus hosts the Vodafone HR Focus Conference for HR professionals of all levels and sectors, the statement said.
The 2022 edition of the Vodafone HR Focus Conference brought together more than 300 HR practitioners and business leaders to discuss the topic of “HR’s Role in Embracing the Future of Work During Economic Crises.”
Speakers at the event included Dr. Mrs. Ellen Hagan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the L’AINE Group; Nana Elegba, Chief HR Officer of The Multimedia Group; Dr Mrs. Irene Stella Agyenim Boateng, Advisor to the CEO of Volta River Authority; Michael Otchere Duah, HR Director of Unilever Ghana; Clement Wiredu, CEO of Beckworth Consulting; and Gideon Ataraire, CEO of Allianz Life Insurance Ghana.
Meanwhile, according to research conducted by Mckinsey & Company, as organizations look to the post-pandemic future, many are planning a hybrid virtual model that combines remote work with time in the office. “This sensible decision follows solid productivity increases during the pandemic”.
