Insights Episode 12: Optimizing Human Resource Management in the Time of COVID-19 at York Region

Optimizing Human Resource Management in the Time of COVID-19 at York Region Rina Lamba and Julia Roitenberg When the pandemic started in February 2020, York Region was faced with constantly changing conditions and minimal data to help guide decision making. We were challenged to make informed decisions with limited information as we redeployed our staff of 500 to support the COVID-19 response. The situation was unprecedented. As senior leaders, we were, and continue to be, in a situation that the US Army has called “VUCA” – a popular acronym used to describe and reflect on an environment of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Scholars Bennett and Lemoine (2014) believe that understanding VUCA can enable organizational leadership to be more effective in preparing for, and responding to, uncontrollable events that are characterized by the four VUCA categories.