Hays, the leading recruiting expert, has launched a free online training portal designed to help employers and teams in China grow the skills they need to function effectively and thrive in the wake of COVID-19.

The global COVID-19 crisis has already transformed the world of work, with much of its impact still unfolding. As the situation continues to develop and the road to recovery is expected to be a long one, business leaders and professionals must adapt and be agile to the challenges that are presented to them on a daily basis, with valuable lessons to be learned along the way.

As countries around the world continue in their battle against COVID-19 at varying stages, in China, the worst appears to have been overcome. Today, most of China’s businesses are gradually resuming operations, providing the world with an invaluable frame of reference as they prepare to return to work.

Even as most businesses in China have resumed normal operations, several countries around the world are moving to remote ways of working to battle the COVID-19 crisis. While employees may now be well acquainted with what this takes, working from home can also present challenges that are difficult to spot at times – such as feelings of isolation and loneliness.

While most businesses have resumed their normal operations, the current world of work in China is still operating more remotely than it ever has before. Remote working began as a crucial measure to maintain the health and safety of employees, but carries with it some obstacles that employers may find challenging. This includes work place culture, which is impacted when communication, collaboration, relationship building and accessibility becomes remote.

Uncertainty in the current world of work is posing a challenge to established hiring practices, particularly when it comes to interviewing potential candidates for a new role. Virtual recruitment methods like video interviews are invaluable in overcoming the challenges of remote hiring, while having the additional benefits of saving companies time and creating more efficient processes.

Great Place to Work®, ranked Hays as number four on the 2020 Best Workplaces in Asia list under the category of ‘Best Multi-national Workplaces in Asia’. More than 2.2 million employees participated in the survey studies that covered eight 8 Asia-regions and countries where Great Place to Work is represented.

Interviewing for a new role via video is only increasing, according to recruiting experts Hays, as our world of work evolves in rapidly changing times.

In a continuing trend of mismatched salary expectations, Chinese employees expect significant pay increases in 2020, while employers maintain a more measured approach, finds the latest Asia Salary Guide report by leading recruitment experts Hays. Additionally, focus on employee benefits continues to decrease despite emerging as a key element to talent retention when compared to previous years.

While 2019 began as a promising year for recruitment in Asia, the ripple effect of a slowing global economy has seeded uncertainty within the region. This has contributed to a more conservative outlook for hiring and compensation in 2020, finds the latest Asia Salary Guide report by leading recruitment experts Hays. However, both employers and employees in China continue to maintain comparatively high expectations for increments in 2020 comparing to Asia counterparts, albeit alongside growing concerns over skill shortages.