As a result of technical improvements, evolving dynamics in the workplace, and the COVID-19 epidemic, remote work has emerged as a significant factor that is shaping the labour scene all over the developed countries in the world over the past few years.
In this article, HR professionals in Bangladesh are given an in-depth examination of the opportunities and difficulties that come with working remotely. Additionally, effective tactics for managing people in a virtual environment are discussed. Similar to other countries, remote work has become more common across various sectors in Bangladesh. Examples like freelancing platforms, tech startups, outsourcing companies, remote education and training, remote healthcare services, and remote content creation demonstrate the widespread adoption of remote work in this country.
This remote work presents opportunities for individuals to work flexibly and make contributions to both local and global economies. With the continuous evolution of technology, remote work is anticipated to become more deeply ingrained in the nation’s workforce.
Human resources professionals are essential contributors to the success and growth of any organization. HR professionals play a significant role in HR planning and forecasting, creating HR metrics, succession planning, designing effective compensation policies, and other HR-related functions.
Working remotely provides a wide range of advantages for HR professionals in developed nations, such as talent access, cost efficiency, business resilience, employee welfare, tech integration, eco-friendliness, and international market growth.
Embracing remote work strategies and utilizing innovative HR practices can help organizations thrive in a digital and interconnected world. The ramifications of this evolution for human resource (HR) professionals are investigated in this piece of writing. The article also provides an overview of the opportunities and difficulties that have arisen as a result of the growing widespread acceptance of remote work in Bangladesh.
- HR professionals can access a wider talent pool by recruiting qualified professionals from various regions or globally through remote work, which can enhance workforce diversity and bring in specialized HR experts.
- Introducing remote work for HR professionals can lower expenses for companies such as office space, utilities, and infrastructure, leading to resource optimization and allowing funds to be redirected towards other strategic initiatives or employee benefits.
- Providing remote work opportunities enhances flexibility and assists HR professionals in achieving improved work-life balance. Remote work in Bangladesh, particularly in places like Dhaka, offers employees relief from traffic congestion and long commuting hours, enabling them to save time and alleviate the stress of everyday travel.
- The ability to work remotely ensures the continuity of business operations, particularly in the event of unexpected events or disruptions, such as natural catastrophes or health problems. The establishment of regulations for the development of policies for remote work enables operations to run smoothly and guarantees that human resources professionals may continue to perform their jobs effectively from home.
- Through the utilization of human resource information systems (HRIS), HR professionals are able to streamline operations such as recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and employee engagement in remote work contexts. This enhances the competitiveness and efficiency of the organization.
- HR professionals prioritize ensuring high levels of employee engagement and morale within remote teams. Through the implementation of virtual team-building activities, consistent feedback and support, and the promotion of a culture centered on trust and communication, HR professionals guarantee that remote employees remain connected, motivated, and appreciated within the organization.
- Remote work opens up possibilities for individuals who might encounter challenges with traditional office jobs, like people with disabilities, caregivers, or those residing in remote areas with few job prospects. HR professionals can enhance inclusivity by providing remote work choices and accommodating a variety of needs and situations.
- Working remotely helps the environment by cutting down on carbon emissions from commuting and office activities. HR professionals have the opportunity to frame remote work as a reflection of the organization's dedication to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability, in line with global sustainability objectives.
There are a lot of problems that HR professionals in Bangladesh have to deal with, such as lack of infrastructure, language and cultural barriers, legal and compliance issues, and managing performance and productivity. It can be hard to give remote workers training and development chances because they don't have as much access to traditional classroom-based learning.
When managing remote work arrangements, it can be hard to maintain and reinforce the organization's culture, beliefs, and norms when people work from home. By pro-actively tackling these challenges and implementing effective strategies and solutions, HR professionals in Bangladesh can effectively handle remote work arrangements and support organizational goals and objectives in a digital and interconnected world.
Through the use of virtual worlds, HR professionals in Bangladesh are able to successfully manage people. This suggests that digital human resource management (DHRM) is becoming increasingly essential in Bangladesh, notably in the RMG industry. This is due to the rapid automation of business processes, the proliferation of tech-based firms, and the growing presence of communities online.
With the use of DHRM, human resource management procedures that are efficient can be carried out in a timely and efficient manner. These processes include recruiting, selection, placement, learning, and development. Furthermore, the utilization of digital tools such as social media and email can significantly improve the administration of personnel as well as the communication between them.
Therefore, HR professionals in Bangladesh are able to make use of virtual platforms in order to successfully manage people and maintain their competitive edge in the modern digital age.
Prof Dr Carmen Z. Lamagna, Dr Rezbin Nahar and Prof Dr Farheen Hassan are Member BoT of American International University - Bangladesh (AIUB) and Associate Professors at AIUB Business School - Faculty of Business Administration (FBA), American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). Correspondence: [email protected].
