A word from Our Moderator

A Word from Our Moderator – Paul Mason

HR has a unique economic challenge on its hands. We are tackling a new polarisation of view that has not existed before. Now, within nearly every organisation, there are two informal ‘subcultures’ fighting it out for dominance.

Firstly, the cohort who have settled into the work from home environment and feel strongly about not being forced back into an office environment. I believe that this group has seen tangible benefits from this new environment but similarly may not recognise or remember the value of collaborative working (even if it is only a few times a week).

Secondly, we have the cohort who want to be in the physical workplace, this group who are generally younger, are crying out for a separation from work and home life. But they, too, have recognised the flexibility of WFH environments. Despite a clear desire to return, they will do so with new and improved expectations on how workplaces should look and operate.

The challenge for HR is: how do we measure, understand and define the optimum mix and create a culture that supports hybrid working.

My biggest takeaway from the time spent with this group was that CEOs and business leaders are not giving HR managers and directors the space or clarity of direction to embrace this new challenge.

Paul Mason,
Journalist, writer
and film-maker