Digitalization, online e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, gaming apps, and wellbeing apps have changed our lives. What may have been impossible before is now possible. Case in point, entrepreneurs in rural areas are making a mark on society. Starting their businesses from home, these women have created a business for themselves thanks to online platforms.
How the pandemic became instrumental in boosting the telecom industry
Considering call operators in the telecommunications industry, their roles have changed unprecedentedly, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. From a hall with 50 to 100 staff sitting together and attending calls to remote or hybrid working, a lot has changed in the last two to three years.
Unlike other sectors, where remote working may have been a tough transition, telecommunication workers were not affected by the pandemic that much in comparison. In fact, the number of telecommunication workers increased significantly during the pandemic as more and more people were shifting to make a career in telecommunications.
Evidence supports the significant relationship between quality of work life and organisational commitment in the telecom industry. Compared to other sectors, the telecom industry is one of the quickest-growing and most dynamic. Employees in this industry may find it demanding and stressful, primarily due to long working hours. The telecom industry faces a transformation in technology and services, pushing telecom employees to work quickly, more effectively, and efficiently. If the sector becomes attentive and assertive in improving employees' work life, it will allow employees to focus on work and adapt to these changes as they unroll.
Unique concerns faced by telecom workers:
As seen in other sectors, the telecom industry is also prone to occupational hazards. Especially the safety of linemen is at risk as they fix wires on poles. But apart from that, telecommunication workers are at higher risk of psychological stress. The top challenge telecom workers face is psychosocial risks.
In a sample of 587 telecom managers, a study revealed that the industry faces workaholism and burnout, which relates to work engagement. Factors include:
- Long working hours
- Job characteristics
- Work outcomes
- The quality of social relationships
- Employees' perception of their health
Study results concluded that workaholism, burnout and work engagement all fall under the umbrella of employee wellbeing rather than individual issues. Addressing telecom workers’ wellbeing as a holistic experience, rather than isolated parts, can contribute to reducing psychosocial risks like anxiety, depression, guilt, shock and loss of self-esteem, sleep deprivation, or mental stresses.
According to research, an increase in the quality of work life for telecommunication workers may also increase organisational commitment and engagement on individual levels. Underlining this point is that an elevated working life links to organisations achieving effectiveness, a win-win for employees and companies. The gains could lead to a bouquet of improvements, including employees' greater self-esteem from experiencing positive feelings towards themselves, improved job satisfaction and engagement with their work, and bolstered organisational commitment to the organisation.
LEADING CHANGE
Creating meaningful jobs is necessary to induce commitment and give a more significant personal stimulus in employee engagement. Proficient strategic resource management for people professionals with employee-friendly policies is a prerequisite to boosting telecom workers' wellbeing. Focusing on quality of life is critical for organisations seeking to increase commitment and engagement. Poor practices and policies can derail or prevent employee wellbeing, with the result of eventually failing the organisation's vision.
Leadership can adopt the guiding principles of compassionate, empathic behaviour to impact telecommunication employees’ motivation and performance. They can foster open, honest, vertical communication that promotes trust and bonding. Two more crucial factors include encouraging competence and self-efficacy and promoting positive and healthy relationships by displaying compassionate empathy. Empathy positively impacts employee mental health and performance at all times, not only during a crisis.
Need for better wellbeing strategies in 2023:
The telecommunication industry has greatly developed over the years. This also calls for more employee engagement in terms of dealing with customers in a better way, espcially as companies are more focused on personalized customer experience.
People professionals will need to up their game to help telecommunication workers. Making arrangements to provide adequate training to their employees as per the need of the hour and answer their queries will remain crucial.
Apart from training, people professionals can introduce various mind-relaxing activities to boost employee morale. Telecommunicating is all about establishing customer relations. A company’s sales depend on how employees perform with a potential client.
Providing psychological support to their employees will not only help them to focus better but will also result in low turnover. Using wellbeing apps is another trending way in 2023 to keep track of your employees' wellbeing. With such apps, HRs can keep track of their employees' moods and physical activity and encourage them to indulge and participate more in the company's events. This is a great way to make employees feel connected to their companies.
