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  1. Grant Thornton UK LLP
  2. Insights
  3. People

People

Get help charting a course to the future of your business

This is an unparalleled situation and people are both anxious and uncertain. It's vital that you offer your team confident leadership and clear direction in the face of adversity.

Keeping your people safe, motivated and enabled will be a major challenge for HR teams and the wider organisation. They will need to feel re-assured and secure, as well as understanding their positions. These are complex and emotive issues that can’t be taken lightly or without due diligence.

Potential issues

Engaging staff is crucial for keeping people motivated and re-assured of their roles. It's essential for the well-being of both your staff and the business as a whole.

Resourcing is changing. New customer and client demands mean additional capacity may be urgently needed in some areas, while under-used in others. Succession planning for critical roles might be required at short notice, and the skills that are needed in key business areas might have changed.

Supporting staff will be a challenge for HR. Your employees will be anxious to understand their rights, obligations and benefit entitlements, as well as trying to adapt their working arrangements to new demands.

Relocating staff across international borders will be more common, whether as part of business continuity strategies or for personal reasons. This presents a range of unexpected logistical and tax issues to address. Employees currently on international secondments may wish to return to their home countries or need additional support.

Actions to consider

  • Actions to consider

    Assess

    Constantly reviewing the immediate impacts of the situation is essential. Information you find that's relevant to your business needs to be communicated to your unions and used to update your employee value proposition; capacity and capabilities; scenario planning; and immediate strategic requirements.

  • Actions to consider

    Protect

    Communication with your teams is vital. Help them understand what will change, share your approach and be clear about where they can go for support. Make sure you’re listening and adapting to feedback effectively. Create engagement plans and support communities to manage change and minimise uncertainty. Protect both your people and your business through training and succession planning, and explore all the options around reduction, retention and flexibility of your workforce, while delivering against changing market conditions.

  • Actions to consider

    Restore

    One day, all of this will be over. Then, you will have a wealth of experience in dealing with crisis situations and continuity planning. Be sure to document the steps you've taken and what you've discovered. Incorporate what you've learned from increased remote working and other solutions into your new standard operating procedures.

Consider these questions

  • What is your plan to support people?
  • Is your team engaged and resourced in the right areas to deliver on your top business priorities?
  • How will a reduction in revenue impact the affordability of your workforce?

 

  • Are your health and hygiene policies and processes clear and relevant?
  • Could additional training increase agility and resilience across your organisation?

justin-rix.png

 

“At a time of crisis, nothing is more important than people. There are a lot of very complex and serious issues at play and our teams are working tirelessly to answer questions and provide solutions. Our focus is on supporting businesses, so that they are best-placed to support their people.”

Justin Rix, Partner

Contacts

Justin Rix
Justin Rix
Partner London
Email address Justin Rix VCard
View full profile
Sue Jex
Sue Jex
Director London
Email address https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sue-jex-96093921 Sue Jex VCard
View full profile
Kevin Thorne
Kevin Thorne
National director London
Email address http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-thorne/48/b51/3b5 Kevin Thorne VCard
View full profile
Katy Bond
Katy Bond
Director London
Email address https://uk.linkedin.com/in/katy-bond-14b62b33 Katy Bond VCard
View full profile

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Contract-based pension plans have been impacted by COVID-19. What do you need to know to adapt to the new world?

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Flexible employee benefits were attractive to staff in recent years. But how has COVID-19 affected these schemes?

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Leaders should value new cultures and be brave enough to make them sustainable.

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How to adopt remote and agile working in the long term

Remote and agile working are here to stay for the long term. How can you mitigate the risks of the virtual workplace?

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How to re-integrate furloughed employees post-lockdown

Your furloughed workers are likely feeling disconnected right now. How can you reintegrate them into the workplace?

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How directors can protect against COVID-19 insolvency

Insolvency is becoming increasingly common. Find out what you can do to protect your firm and you.

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COVID-19: our advice for UK private schools

Private schools in the UK are under pressure as fees and operations are hit by the coronavirus lockdown. What measure do they need to take?

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Your business and COVID-19: Part 1 – People

Our first webinar in the COVID-19 series discusses how you can support your people through times of uncertainty.

Your business and COVID-19: Part 1 – People

Webinar: Leading your business through COVID-19 – People

Watch our first webinar in the COVID-19 series to uncover how you can support your people through times of uncertainty.

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Help for publicans dealing with the COVID-19 lockdown

Publicans have been more affected by COVID-19 than anyone. We're offering free advice on navigating the situation.

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More practical guidance for your response

Customers and suppliers

Keeping them informed, secure and prepared for change

Customers and suppliers

Liquidity, contingency and claims

Ensuring your stability for the future

Liquidity, contingency and claims

Operations

Meeting customer demands effectively and efficiently

Operations

Regulatory

Stay compliant now and in the future

Regulatory

Technology

Managing your stability and digital risk

Technology

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