Survey – Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Workplaces in BC & Western Canada
CPHR BC & Yukon, in partnership with their provincial counterparts in Western Canada, releases the results of their June 2020 survey of HR professionals, conducted by Insights West, on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workplaces in Western Canada.
Having a business continuity plan in place prior to the pandemic significantly improved the likelihood an organization was able to continue all or most of their operations. It is reasonable to assume HR professionals were a key contributor to the development of any such plan, and were considered a helpful resource in guiding decision-making during the public health emergency.
Also, the survey results validate the potential to have more employees working remotely in the future on either a full-time or part-time basis. Almost half of respondents surveyed said their organization will offer flexibility when the public health emergency is over, and when the nature of the work does not necessitate employees to be at the worksite.
Lastly, the survey also looked at the pandemic’s effects on HR policies and initiatives, how organizations controlled labour costs, what actions will likely be taken to keep costs controlled, and the challenges presented to resuming operations as provinces permit the resumption of non-essential economic activity.