Abstract:
COVID-19 is a global health crisis that started in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly
aroundthe world. Since this pandemic has resulted in restrictions on movement
and the temporary closure of workplace premises, organizations made provisions
for implementing remote work. The objective of this conceptual study is to
investigate, the HR department’s expanded role in the workplace transition,
concerning within the Sri Lankan context. The conceptualization was made
upon, expanding the role of the HR department in the workplace by creating
remote working policies to constructing return-to-work plans and implementing
new safety protocols within organizations. A comprehensive literature review
was used as the method for this study and recently (from2019 – 2021) published
17 articles in Google Scholar, Emerald insights, Sage journals, and the website
of the world health organization were selected after analyzing and organized data
to achieve the aforementioned study objective. The study found that previously
HR departments focused on a day in life tasks, administering benefits, and drive
sustainable competitiveness. However, HR teams are now in support of their
company's crisis management efforts. Based on the study it has identified, the
HR department’s expanded role in four areas of developing mental and physical
well-being of employees, improving the efficiency of remote work, developing
employee engagement through effective communication, and providing equal
access to opportunities and resources. The practical implications contribute to
human resource management practices to understanding the expanded role of the
HR department in demonstrating employee care by feedback, timely and specific
knowledge exchange, andcollaborative methods of expression contribute to the
positive result during a crisis or associated with workplace transition in the
COVID-19 post-pandemic situation
