Hybrid Models for Remote Work Practices in The Post Pandemic Era: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Remote work has gained greater importance in the past three years globally, with more organisations resorting to hybrid models for remote work practices. Much of the growing interest stems from the imposed movement restrictions by lockdowns, quarantines and self-imposed isolations that remote work has become key actor in re-designing workplaces, technology, human capital management, and work policies. The hybrid models have their own financial implications and legal dimension. The purpose of the paper was to redefine Human Resource Management policies and practices in order to harness productive employee engagement using the hybrid model in the post pandemic era. The paper examined specific policy frameworks that governed work models prior to the pandemic and presented on how organisations and their labour administration systems adapted to prospects and challenges brought by the pandemic. The paper proposed strategic re-engineering and strengthening of labour administration systems to regulate the employer and employee relationships in hybrid models for remote work practices in the post pandemic era. A participatory approach adopted combined presentations by experts and case studies. The paper further presented findings and recommendations on intervention strategies on labour administration systems and human resource management policies that were needed to effectively encompass the hybrid remote work models in the post pandemic era. The paper also recommended on initiatives to be adopted to improve and enhance the hybrid models for remote work practices.