Post-pandemic HR: What does the future hold for NZ?

'COVID-19 has been a defining moment for our profession'

BY Georgia Neaverson 09 Nov 2021

Earlier this month, nominations opened for 2022 HRD’s Awards New Zealand, which return for a second year to recognise the achievements, leadership, and innovation of the country’s most outstanding HR individuals and teams. The awards celebrate HR excellence in more than a dozen categories, including NZ HR Manager of the Year, NZ HR Rising Star, HR Team of the Year and Employer of Choice across a range of company sizes. Last year’s winners included the likes of LIC, Xero, Chorus, BN, Schneider Electric and Suncorp.

HRD is delighted to announce that people-management platform Employment Hero is the exclusive partner of the 2022 HRD Awards New Zealand. Chief people officer, Alex Hattingh, championed the hard work of the HR community throughout COVID-19 and shed light on how the world of HR is evolving post-pandemic.

“The pandemic hit all teams very hard. Everyone, no matter what function they were in, had to pivot their approach at work,” Hattingh said, noting the integral role of the HR industry in overseeing COVID-19 plans and policies, boosting team morale, and implementing initiatives to keep engagement levels high during periods of remote work.

“Often caught between the needs of the business and employees, the pandemic created a pressure keg for HR professionals to navigate. Thankfully it seems the worst is behind us and what better time to celebrate and recognise the hard work of the community as we look towards a new future,” she added.

Hattingh also credited the ability of HR professionals to embrace the uncertainty created by the pandemic. “I’ve seen so many of my peers show up and stay rock solid no matter what was thrown at them. That shows great resilience and adaptability,” she said.

“We’ve also become so much more people-centred and had to have the conviction to hold leadership accountable for being empathetic during COVID-19 when many employees were suffering from the uncertainty and anxiety of a pandemic struck world. This takes guts when you’re also trying to balance this with the needs of the business.”

Looking to the future, Hattingh believes the HR industry will continue to prove its importance to New Zealand businesses in a post-pandemic world.

“Our new seat at the table will become a permanent fixture as businesses head into the war for talent – where an emphasis on employer brand, EVP and the candidate experience will become essential. COVID-19 has been a defining moment for our profession, how we choose to move forward is also important and I encourage HR leaders to continue to use your voice,” Hattingh said.