The Lounge Group’s project entitled “Work Dynamics” is based on a long-term research that examines the psychological effects of the COVID-19 virus situation on the Hungarian workers. It is important that this research does not focus on the actual effects of the current pandemic, but rather it maps the responses to specific situations in general and the changes generated by such situations affecting the mental, organizational, and workplace dynamics. In addition to presenting general experience, the project aims to formulate such proposals for the managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are considered to be the engine of the economy, which can be useful in increasing employee welfare even in the post-epidemic period.

Our complex research project provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem, the first milestone of which is to open a professional dialogue with stakeholders on the subject of control. By control we mean the ability to shape our things the way we want, i.e. to be in control of the situation.

The crisis caused by the pandemic highlighted the importance of the mental stability of employees in a company. The knowledge and well-established attitudes that otherwise keep workplaces running prove to be scarce in this situation, as this pandemic situation poses unprecedented challenges to both workers and organizations. This is our starting point to draw general lessons that can be useful in any situation.

The aim of the Work Dynamics research is to help, and support the small and medium-sized business leaders how to address such challenges in a changed environment and situation (i.e., how to recalibrate work dynamics and embrace digital transformation in a post-pandemic workplace) and how they can help their employees in general, who are just experiencing the limits of their own physical capabilities placed under mental strain.

The pandemic has resulted in an experimental laboratory situation that simultaneously allows the study of the effects of factors that are rarely experienced together at other times. These may include organizational restructuring, changes in working conditions, changes in the place of work, changes in professional management, and personal problems.

We use this opportunity to examine what we can learn from the effects of the crisis situation, and what are the main drivers, driving forces of human resources that are worth thinking about in any crisis situation.

The problems formulated in our research, based on the first experiences and conclusions, arise from the changes in the nature and intensity of the control. Regarding the question of control, the pandemic has brought a paradigm shift: the classical Fordist work and control models were shaken by the situation caused by the pandemic. Changes that are much discussed and communicated, such as burnout of workers, increased search for comfort zones, and the reactions often seen in other HR areas are actually symptoms, but do not get to the root of the problem.

As the teacher’s control over his/her students has decreased due to the lack of personal presence, the role and control of the parent has increased at the same time. These changes have also taken place in the workplace: the employer has lost some control over its employees, but at the same time, the employee has experienced increased control in his/her home due to the new conditions, circumstances arising from working online/from home. There have been many changes like these in the world of work. The aim of our research is to understand and systematize these findings.

In the fall of 2021, we will also conduct a large-sample survey that will address the entire economically active population. We encourage you to participate in our research to explore what changes the pandemic has brought to the social, business and economic processes! Let's learn from our recent experiences and mistakes and purposefully use the successful business tools we have experienced during the pandemic in the future!

Please keep following us to be updated, and join the Lounge Group’s Work Dynamics project, where in addition to sharing your experiences, you could also receive valuable prizes.

Please contact us if you have any questions or you want to know more about the project: munkadinamika@loungegroup.hu