University of Iowa reimagines employee experience in the wake of COVID-19 remote working

When COVID-19 crippled campus operations in March, a vast majority of University of Iowa employees made a rushed shift to remote work, and now UI administrators are asking whether a more thorough reimagination of the workplace is in order. Via a new 25-member Employee Experience Committee, the campus aims to “re-imagine the employee experience to align with emerging talent needs and trends.” The group of faculty, staff and student representatives will consider how and where employees work — and how to foster innovation. Specifically, the group will discuss flexibility for employees who are balancing children at home, along with virtual schooling; those living in different locations but bringing certain expertise to the UI workforce; and a growing need to be more open about how work can be productively performed.