COVID in Australia: HR managers' challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Transitions to working from home due to the COVID pandemic led to a proliferation of literature and industry reports on changed work practices. However, this study set out to advance understanding of how human resource professionals managed the crises – adding to the limited literature on this perspective. Data was collected during late 2020/early 2021 through interviews with human resource professionals. Data was analysed using coding techniques enabling findings to be organised into relevant concepts and categories. Contributions to practice include the range of challenges and opportunities associated with working from home, which are outlined here as technical and behavioural recommendations. These include the need for improved IT support and IT literacy across the workforce; issues linked to employee isolation, managing privacy, workload, and the management of remote employees. This paper draws on institutional theory, stressing the importance of context in shaping HRM strategies in times of crises.