Adios 2020! Ring in 2021 with resolution to better your workplace

We can all agree 2020 was a dumpster fire difficult year for employees and employers alike. As we enter 2021, it’s a good time to reexamine our workplaces and look for ways to make improvements for the business and our employees. Below are some tips for entering the new year on the right foot.

5 tips for the new year

1. Check in with your employees. Now is the time to have the conversations with your employees about what went well in 2020, where there can be improvements, and what they need to be successful moving forward. This is also a good time to ask them for ideas on efficiencies that can be implemented (especially where telework is now occurring), how their job descriptions have changed over the year (and whether the changes will be permanent), and how connected they feel to the workplace with social distancing or remote measures in place.

Employee engagement is now more important than ever if we're going to keep our most valued workers.

2. Fix what is broken. No doubt, 2020 likely highlighted trouble areas or areas of vulnerability in your workplace. Whether the issues arose with equipment, processes, or personnel, use the new year as a fresh start and an excuse to tackle the challenges.

3. Follow the law. No-brainer, right? The year 2020 brought many changes to state and federal paid leave laws to assist workers affected by COVID-19, and 2021 will likely be no different. Add a new president to the mix, and without question, there will be additional changes to our federal employment laws.