Throughout the past year, many people have wondered what the new normal would look like after COVID-19 got more under control and people began returning to their offices. As we’re approaching that point, several executives discussed trends they’re seeing in the association workforce during the recent “ExecConnect: Re-Opening the Association” webinar, hosted by the New York Society of Association Executives.
During the conversation, three areas emerged as transforming the workforce and workplace: remote work, a tighter labor market, and opportunities and challenges related to diversity and inclusion. Here’s a look at what each of these may mean for associations.
REMOTE WORK
While more remote work is going to be in the cards, panelists and participants said the question that associations seem to be struggling with is how much remote work will be expected.
“Organizations need to reassess the need to have that employee in person,” said Rafael Rivera, CAE, CEO of the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA). “Some are very obvious, but others are not. That’s when the employee may question you: ‘We’ve been working from home for 13 to 15 months. Why do I need to be back in the office?’ And you need to have a good answer as to why that is a business necessity. If the answer isn’t good, you’re very likely to lose an employee.”