New challenges in employee relationships in the digitalised post-pandemic organisational culture
 
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1
University of Economics in Katowice, Poland
 
2
University of Cadiz, Spain
 
 
Submission date: 2022-06-27
 
 
Acceptance date: 2022-11-03
 
 
Publication date: 2022-11-29
 
 
Corresponding author
Anna Dewalska - Opitek - Dewalska-Opitek   

University of Economics in Katowice, Poland
 
 
JoMS 2022;49(2):253-274
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
The main purpose of the study is to identify key challenges influencing the employee relationships in the new, post pandemic, digitalised workplace.

Material and methods:
The theoretical deliberations, based on critical literature review, are supplemented by empirical research conducted in a form of a focus groups with 34 participants (3 focus groups) employed on managerial and non-managerial positions. Authors interviewed informants who had experienced both in-person and remote working pattern. The research was conducted between March and May 2022.

Results:
The main challenges were identified in the research process. Zoom fatigue, lack of in-person relations, technical issues and life-work balance were the main challenges perceived for employees, while technology limitations, employee governance and HR related issues were experienced by employers.

Conclusions:
To address these challenges and be able to build and maintain strong and positive employee relations in the digitalised environment, employers should provide trust, motivation, remuneration, support, effective communication, sustainable working environment and employee-centred culture. Taking the above factors into consideration, a reference to the proposed 6Cs model is noticeable.

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