The Top Workplace and Training News: November 2020

In this new monthly series, we gather the most important news and industry trends for HR and learning and development (L&D) professionals. This is the place to stay on top of the stories that matter most for you and your peers. 

We’re now nine months into this massive experiment of remote work. This means there’s been plenty of time for surveys and studies to have taken place on how well remote work … well, works. Ahead, we look at noteworthy articles in November 2020, including survey insights on remote learning.

Is WFX the new WFH?

Working from home is so 2020. According to experts, like Andrey Khusid, CEO of digital whiteboard platform Miro, we’ll see a shift in 2021 from WFH to WFX (working from anywhere). What does this mean for the way we hire, manage, and train employees? Get the scoop from ZDNet. 

Employees embrace remote learning. Employers? Not so much

Nearly half of employee respondents say remote work has made learning and development more important to their success than ever before. And 41% say they would prefer to continue using remote learning even after the pandemic is over. But according to the survey results from Kahoot, 66%  of companies have not improved workplace training since the pandemic. Head to HR Dive to learn more.

The tech skills gap stresses employees out 

The technical skills gap makes it difficult for companies to meet their quality objectives, as you might expect. But there’s another surprising result, according to the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report. Increased stress on existing employees is one of the top ways the skills gap impacts organizations. Employers also say a lack of soft skills is a growing concern. Read more on CIO Dive. 

What does digital transformation really mean?

With the shift to remote work, digital transformation is no longer a nebulous concept. It’s the reality for over 16 million people in the US (and even more worldwide). This new paradigm involves creating flexible work environments and using technology as an enabler. TechRadar investigates what this means for employers.

Mr. Rogers was right (as usual)

It’s easy to blur the lines between personal and professional when working from home. But there are a few tricks that can help. For example, changing into and out of work clothes (just like Mr. Rogers) can help create clear transitions. You can also use specific activities to bookend your workday. Try taking a shower, making a cup of tea, or going for a walk. Find more tips and tricks in TechRepublic.

Transforming L&D to meet digital demands

Throughout 2020, many companies reached their digital tipping point. For example, 97% of UK enterprise decision-makers say the pandemic sped up their digital transformation. L&D professionals must now identify the skills that will help their organizations adapt, such as cross-functional collaboration and business strategy. Explore this topic in more depth at Training Industry.

Create an action plan for your organization

One thing is clear — our new way of working requires new technical and soft skills across every department and team. In fact, 2020 has demonstrated the importance of a training program that emphasizes soft skills. While role-related skills will always be essential, soft skills give employees the tools that will help them adapt and thrive, even in times of stress and uncertainty.

Looking for support to help you decide what this looks like for your organization? Discuss best practices for training your workforce by speaking with our learning experts today.