Shakila Fernando

  In today's fast-changing work environment, organizations worldwide are recognizing the importance of building strong, positive relationships between employers and employees. One key factor in these relationships, though often overlooked, is the psychological contract . A psychological contract is an unwritten set of expectations and beliefs between employees and employers. It isn’t something that’s written down or legally binding, but it plays a big role in shaping how people feel at work, impacting job satisfaction, performance, and overall commitment to the organization. Impact of the Psychological Contract The psychological contract is an invisible but powerful force that shapes how people work together. When both employers and employees meet each other's expectations, it builds trust, respect , loyalty, and a sense of satisfaction in the workplace. Employees who perceive that their psychological contract has been honored are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and loy...

  Introduction Recruiting and selecting the right talent can be a tough job for many organizations. Today, businesses are focusing on building high-performing teams that not only have the right skills but are also motivated, engaged, and aligned with the company's values. Creating a "dream team" goes beyond just finding candidates with technical expertise. It also means understanding their motivations, cultural fit, and career goals. To build the best team, companies need to use modern recruitment strategies, followed by effective management techniques to keep the team working well together. Navigating Change: The Shift in Recruitment Strategies The world of talent recruitment is changing rapidly, influenced by factors like the rise of remote work, increasing diversity, and the ongoing digital transformation of businesses (Cappelli, 2020). Today, companies aren’t just looking for candidates with the right skills and experience. They’re also focusing more on the overall we...

  Global Perspective: The Rising Skills Mismatch The skills mismatch has become a major challenge around the world, especially as technology advances and economies continue to evolve. A report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) reveals that more than 50% of companies globally are struggling to find workers with the right skills, especially in areas like data science, AI, and cybersecurity. This disconnect has created a troubling situation: while businesses are in desperate need of skilled workers, many young people are facing high unemployment because of this lack of skills in relevant areas. It's a paradox that highlights the growing gap between the skills people have and the skills the modern job market demands. Key Drivers of the Global Skills Mismatch: Technological Advancements: Automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics are reshaping industries, leaving traditional jobs obsolete while creating demand for more specialized, technical roles. Evolving ...

To Be an Asset to the Company Rather Than a Cost In today’s dynamic work environment, employers expect employees to do more than just perform their assigned tasks. They seek employees who engage with their visions and contribute significantly to the success of the organization. But as an employee, how can you transform yourself from being a perceived cost to becoming a valuable asset to your company? The key milestones on this path are aligning your skills, behaviors, and contributions with the company's goals and vision. In many organizations, employees are initially seen as a cost to the company due to salaries, benefits, and training costs. However, by aligning with the company’s strategic goals, continually improving your skills, and fostering a positive work culture, this transformation not only enhances your growth but also secures more opportunities, making you an indispensable part of the organization. 10 Tips to become an asset to the company Global Perspective Aligning ...

  Introduction As the global population ages, we're entering a transformative era in the workforce—the "Golden Age of the Silver Worker”. This term highlights the rising involvement of older employees aged 60 and above with their valuable experience, knowledge, and skills in the industry. While there are often concerns such as health-related issues, technology adaptation, and flexibility issues, this demographic is increasingly proving to be one of the most important assets for organizations around the world. Their extensive expertise and unique perspectives can play a key role in shaping the future of the work. Global Trends: Silver Workers on the Rise Over the last few years, many developed countries have been significantly involved in demographic shifts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global population aged 60 years and older is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, up from 1 billion in 2020 ( from 12% to 22%) WHO 2024 . With this demographic shi...

  Introduction Remote work and Hybrid work models have gained popular culture due to advancements in technical and digital communication tools, giving the opportunity to employees work from locations outside the office premises. This shift was enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many companies to implement remote or hybrid models as a long-term solution (PwC, 2023). We can identify many benefits such as better work-life balance (WLB), flexibility, productivity, and cost-saving for both employees and employers. Studies have shown that WLB can be enhanced by working from home and found job satisfaction to increase by working from home (Bloom et al. ( Citation2015 ). The Rise of Remote Work in Sri Lanka The workplace environment in Sri Lanka has dramatically transformed over the past few years due to the adoption of remote and hybrid work models. The traditional office-bound work culture is shifting to accommodate these new approaches. When COVID-19 spread globally i...