Impact of COVID-19 on Human Resource Management: A Perspective on Digitalization and Work-Life Balance

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has compelled organizations across the global environment to shift towards digital business processes, throwing the organization into a paradigm shift. Many of these changes are driven by human resource management (HRM), leading organizations through today’s challenges toward a future that includes remote work and flexibility. This paper will establish how, in the context of crises, the Human Resource Management department is central to accommodating the requirements posed by difficulties in managing workforces while at the same time maintaining operations and overseeing its employees’ physical and emotional needs.As organizations embrace digital, remote and flexible work environments, developing new policies, flexible work arrangements, and technology and staff support structures becomes critical. This puts pressure on HRM to reconsider the conventional framework and devise an effective new approach that will fit the new working trends. This study identifies and discusses the significant areas of concern for HRM regarding the new normal resulting from the high adoption of remote work and the impact of COVID-19 on human resources. Responding to the insights from the interviews with the specialists working in the Human Resources department in Pakistan, it is possible to identify the need for emerging fresh regulation addressing the new trends regarding hybrid work organization and the ongoing environmental changes. Based on the learning, implementing these new dynamics will enable the HRM to navigate the organization into a new efficiency era, increase organizational continuity during crises, and improve employee satisfaction in a post-COVID-19 environment..