Hybrid working and working from home is set to become a permanent fixture in South Africa, says Accenture in Africa chief executive Vukani Mngxati.<\/p>\n
Accenture is an Ireland-based multinational professional services company that specialises in information technology services and consulting.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a recent seminar, Mngxati said business leaders have had to prepare for both a technological and mental shift brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
“When we look at the future, we think work will now predominantly be done remotely and that flexibility is going to be a key driver. We aim to make sure that our people keep a balanced life at work and home to support our clients,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mngxati said that when the pandemic first hit, businesses faced operational challenges to provide staff with facilities that made remote work possible – simple things like providing a desk.<\/p>\n
However, he noted that there has been a significant shift as businesses did not anticipate was the significant mental wellness issues that came with working from home.<\/p>\n
“In the service industry, the reality is that you problem-solve jointly through in-person meetings. Working from home means harder work and longer hours with a potential impact on mental health. Recognising the challenges our people, like so many others, are facing, we have a large focus on how best to support them.”<\/p>\n
Mngxati says leaders have no choice but to understand the mental health consequences of remote work and to act swiftly where there are problems.<\/p>\n
He said common traits to look out for are staff feeling isolated, lonely, or disconnected both socially and professionally; as well as being unable to switch off; having difficulty staying motivated; not being able to prioritise one\u2019s workload; and feeling uncertain about progress.<\/p>\n
“The communications dynamic has also changed over months spent at home and to be effective a degree of over-communication is needed. Being apart can sometimes result in misinterpretation and misunderstanding. It can also require more explanation and clarification on activities.”<\/p>\n