COVID-19 has virtually upended every aspect of the modern workforce. Research from Gallup suggests that, as of May, 2020, seven in ten Americans worked on a remote basis at least on occasion. A trend that is only expected to continue throughout the pandemic. 

For many of us when we think about working, our mind typically brings us first to our workplace. For some, their workplace may be in a standard office building, perhaps in a cubicle, with an officemate or, if perhaps an office of your own. But regardless of what your normal workplace looks like, it most likely looks nothing like your home.

If you’re thinking about a career in human resources but are wondering what it exactly entails, look no further.

Why Earn an MBA in HR?

There's a small window on weekdays between when the key unlocks the front door, the book bag hits the floor, dinner lands on the table, and heads lay down for the night. It's in this sliver of time as the sun begins to sink that notebooks open and computer screens glow. Dwede Dennis ’12, ’18 MBA – Human Resource Management, knows this time well, as it's when she often helps her young daughter with her second grade homework. 

There are two types of workplaces: Those where you can hear a pin drop when you walk the halls, and the only sound is the sound of typing, people sending messages back and forth between their next-door cubicles. In contrast, there are those offices that are loud and active. You will see people standing on their chairs and shouting over cubicle walls.

Which workplace do you think is more productive?

Which workplace is happier?

The world of work is changing.

The one-job, one-company career popular in the Baby Boomer generation is a faded memory.

The portfolio life, a work life comprised of many work-related roles, is the new norm. For some, this may be contract work for many different projects; for others, work might be a series of part-time roles all packaged together. It also can mean starting one’s own business from home or working eight months in one organization, two years in another, all while starting a business on the side.

What’s driving these changes?

Do you remember your last review? If you do, chances are it’s not a good memory. The whole event probably left you feeling anxious and helpless. If you received a positive review or a raise that felt good, you still probably wondered, “What about next time? I wonder if I can keep this pace up. What if my boss changes? What happens if I have a couple of off days now?” If your last review was a negative experience, you are probably feeling stressed, unhappy and not sure of what you can do to finally make the boss happy with your performance.

With the recent announcement of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Economics being awarded to Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmstrom for their work on employee contracts and incentives, it got me thinking about what actually motivates employees in the workplace. Not to take away from their award, but, from my professional experience, I think contracts and incentives are an incorrect starting point if you want to promote employee satisfaction and productivity.