As we move into the new year, the surge in the number of cases of COVID-19 threatens to disrupt the workforce once again. Medical research and anecdotal evidence suggest that the omicron variant causes milder symptoms that the first strains of the coronavirus, but the sheer number of people becoming ill is making employers and workers concerned about what is in store for them in the weeks and months ahead.

Heath concerns are not the only challenges our workforce faces in 2022. It has been well-documented that the coronavirus pandemic has sped up changes in the way we work and has shone a very bright light on inequities in the way we train, educate, screen, hire, and retain talent. It also has prompted us to think about ways in which we can address these issues and put forth new solutions that will benefit both the employee and employer.

The new year is a time of reflection. So, we asked members of our WorkingNation Advisory Board—leaders from business, academia, and nonprofits – to weigh in on two questions around the workforce of 2022:

What is the biggest challenge facing our labor force – workers and employers – in the new year and how do we move toward solving it?Given all the challenges and inequities surfaced in the workforce over the past two years, what still needs to be done to build a more inclusive workforce in the coming year?

Here, in their own words, is some of what they had to say.

John Hope BryantFounder & CEO, Operation Hope

"As the pandemic rages on with new variants of the coronavirus emerging, it is apparent that a modified work environment is here to stay. A primary challenge for employers is adapting to this new reality. Workers have had time to rethink and reimagine their role in the workplace and demand that they’re recognized as one of the organization’s most valuable assets.

"It all boils down to this: humans have a hard time changing. For months, companies big and small alike have rolled out 'return to work' plans that keep getting pushed back repeatedly. The funny thing is, they are still holding out hope that things will return to normal, and they simply won’t. COVID-19 continues to take lives, disrupt our economy, and push our health care system to its limit, especially in minority and underserved communities.

"While the challenge is complex and multifaceted, the starting solution is a simple three-prong process. First, we must continue to promote worker health and wellbeing by encouraging vaccinations as the best and most effective method of preventing severe illness and hospitalization and enforce COVID safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing.

"Second, employers need to begin listening and taking workers’ concerns seriously. We are in the midst of the Great Resignation and suffering a labor shortage. Many corporations thought they would call their employees’ bluff, but they are learning the hard way that there’s been a paradigm shift. It is incumbent upon us to meet the moment and find new ways to engage employees and help create a hybrid, virtual and/or work-from-home environment that’s conducive to both company and employee success.

"Third, we need to retrain our workforce to have a winning mindset in the workplace. Time management, stress reduction, and financial wellness best practices are all topics that need to be built into a company’s culture. This kind of retraining and reeducation not only increases worker productivity but also signals to workers that they are valued.

"Beyond the challenges we face from the coronavirus pandemic, many organizations continue to grapple with issues of equity and inclusion. Admittedly, some progress has been made, but we must remain vigilant and intentional in creating opportunities for growth and advancement in our workplaces. Simply creating a role for DE&I and putting a Black or Brown face in the position will not do. We can combat the historic oversights and lack of diversity by creating...