Exploring challenges faced by human resource managers during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a qualitative case study in chennai

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the entire world to shut down business operations that have affected employees and employers. This created a complex and difficult environment for organizations, human resource management professionals and employees. Human resource management is the backbone of every organization in which they take control of employees through remote working by allotting their work schedules. This study aims to understand the problems faced by human resource management during the pandemic in the information technology sector and how they managed and tackled the situation. A study was conducted among 10 human resource managers working in the IT sector using a qualitative case study approach based on thematic analysis. Using verbatim, the findings of the study were identified based on Maslow hierarchy of needs theory. It revealed the strategies adopted by the human resource managers during the pandemic outbreak in maintaining the work environment. The findings reveal that mental health is adversely affected by the stress and anxiety prevalent among both employees and human resource professionals. Maintaining work-life balance has become a major challenge as remote work breaks the lines between personal and professional lives. Human resource management professionals encounter difficulties in motivating employees, engaging them in virtual platforms, and engaging in talent acquisition and performance appraisal processes remotely. This study highlights the important role of human resource management professionals in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the information technology sector.