Managing the post-lockdown, post-Covid world as a woman!

Picture this – the government announces the stoppage of the lockdown, the Covid virus has been brought under reasonable control and life returns to a semblance of normalcy. The prevailing chaos has receded to the background as a memory. You are to return to work, yes, back to that office which is a faint image in your mind. The now-normal work-from-home gets back to becoming that luxury and you are expected back in your workplace. Just as you scrambled to manage the challenges of working from home for long periods of time, now it is time to look at how is this back to the ‘real-normal’ going to impact the Indian woman professional? How much of physical mental strain would be called for this immediate back-to-work scenario, especially on working women? Let’s explore.

Change is Inevitable:

As relaxing (or not) it was to plan and shift one task just after breakfast and another post-lunch, this might not work well while in office. You may have to recalibrate your schedules to office routine. However, if you are at a life-stage that requires greater flexibility, like care-givers of young children or eldercare challenges or people with disability, present your case and negotiate your need. Follow-up with your manager, your HR lead and make the necessary plans. I expect that the post COVID world would be more convinced of remote work efficacy.

Adapt to the New Normal:

Policies and protocols may be completely different. There will possibly be an implementation of a new set of office norms and alteration in functions. One might also face a heavy dose of responsibilities to carry out as organizations will be in a marathon to win back whatever loss occurred to them during the pandemic. KRAs might hike and core responsibilities may change. Be welcoming. Use the opportunity to prove yourself.

Continue COVID Habits: Prevention is as important as curing. Do not forget to continue the pandemic personal hygiene and safety measures. Avoid gatherings and coffee breaks which involves many people. It is a real temptation to be near your close colleagues and share all that you missed sharing in the past few months working offsite. But remember your times of physical distancing, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Be Ready for that Cultural Shift: Handshakes may be substituted with a Namaste. Any hugs for a colleague’s career progression may be substituted with applauses and smiles. Although it is a general guideline in all organizations to provide individual personal space, sometimes we forget the same. Be alert and be ready to accept these cultural shifts.

Be a great team-player: Challenges are universal, but some people would have faced bigger challenges than the others. There will be people who came in direct contact with the crisis physically or otherwise. It is important to be a great team player, prepared to weigh in your best and place your team’s priorities above yours. Put away those biases if any and create a workspace that you prefer to have.

Always Look at the Brighter Side: While striving to be your best at work, brace up for post-crisis repercussions financially and otherwise. You must be ready to face any such consequences and react objectively. Be driven by the purpose and work towards excellence. It will always come around and benefit you in good times.

Beyond the moments of desperation and the inevitable gloom that Covid brought with it, it has, like a strict teacher, taught us to appreciate the planet and all its beings. Also, as an unexpected bonus, Covid has influenced an agile transformation of the entire world, literally overnight, into one that worked from home. Not all organizations were prepared for the change. I am glad to share with you that 72% of 2019 Working Mother & Avtar 100 Best Companies for Women in India already had formal mechanisms in place for crisis intervention. In challenging times as today, they (more details here – www.avtarinc.com) are better poised to handle the VUCA and help integrate employees back to work in the post COVID world.

There is also a new avenue of remote working opportunity being opened for the workforce, bringing in a new era of change for those of who wants to stay home and support their family as well as earn their share working remotely. Studies have already confirmed the interest of leaders (in fact, a whopping 74%!) in approving of this new trend for the betterment of both parties - the employers and the employees. So, even as you brace yourself to accept anything that may come your way, stay home, stay safe!

The article was published in the Bombay Management Association on 02 May 2020. Please click the following link to access the same: Managing the post-lockdown, post-Covid world as a woman!