COVID-19 thrust the retail world into a new era, whether we were ready or not. With an increase in e-commerce and curbside pickup, retailers have had to quickly adapt. To be able to reopen safely and successfully, uncertainty about your HR and payroll solution should be the last thing on your mind. This guide breaks down key trends the retail industry will see, and explains how human capital management (HCM) technology can help you have a seamless reopening path.

As we look at the new way of work, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s important to stay in constant contact with your people. The key word here is transparency. By communicating proactively, you can put your people’s minds at ease and help alleviate any anxieties they may have. Remember, while your employees’ physical health is a top priority in the midst and aftermath of a crisis, their mental health is just as important.

For the safety of your customers and employees, there are a few precautions you can take, such as closed fitting rooms, limited number of customers in your store at one time, and new checkout options, such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and contactless checkouts. The retail industry is adjusting every day, and with all the changing regulations, things can get confusing. But with a comprehensive people management solution, you can communicate essential information to your people, minimize unnecessary employee interaction, and hire new temporary employees. With all new procedures, it’s important to train your employees on how to handle customers, questions, and more. A best-in-class learning solution enables you to select specific training for your employees in an engaging and safe way. Leverage a sentiment analysis tool to ask your people open-ended questions so you can gauge employee emotions and common themes in real time.

Whether it’s hiring an influx of essential employees or prepping for the holiday season, it’s important to be able to quickly hire new employees — who are also cultural fits — in the safest way possible. A best-in-class recruiting solution will begin employee engagement before day one, with an easy-to-use interface and social share options. You’ll need to be able to quickly onboard new employees in an engaging way. Your onboarding solution should empower you to strengthen your relationship with your new employees, while allowing them to electronically complete all forms and tasks from anywhere, including their mobile device.

So, how does your solution stack up? Check our brief product tour to learn more about our people management solution.