SPECIAL SECTION: MANAGING DURING UNCERTAINTY Easing the Transition Creating a solid foundation now will lead to stronger remote work in the future. By Jo Deal The coronavirus pandemic has forced businesses to shift to remote operations as much as possible, with CNBC reporting that 42 percent of U.S. workers are telecommuting for the first time. The transition to digital has sent businesses and HR teams through a whirlwind of change and uncertainty. During and following this disruption, it's critical for HR to provide effective support and flexibility for employees while also empowering managers to lead and adapt to what is working and what is not. Focus on Remote Employees Transitioning to remote work is a significant adjustment [16] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | MAY 2020 on its own, even without the added stress of being forced into the situation due to an unpredictable pandemic. Companies play a huge role in supporting employees through this difficult time, and need to recognize that all the changes have a vastly varying impact on their employees. It's more important than ever for HR to accommodate every employee's individual situation. There's no onesize-fits-all approach. HR should encourage managers to reach out to each employee to ask how they're doing and whether they'd like to discuss things like their schedule and what is or isn't working. Some employees don't want frequent check-ins or personal questions, while others appreciate the extra concern and accommodation. The keyhttp://www.mercer.com