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"We had to find new ways to stay in constant contact"
The first Portuguese group specializing in Dental Medicine didn't become a leader in the sector solely due to its investment in advanced medical infrastructure and equipment: it was thanks to the work and experience of more than a thousand professionals who dedicate themselves daily to caring for others. A workforce that is a driving force in the growth of the OralMED Saúde Group. And which, like the rest of the country, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We spoke with Isabel Magalhães, Human Resources Director of the OralMED Saúde Group, to understand how the pandemic affected her team and the group's other employees. And to take stock of the situation, one year after the first lockdown.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the work developed by the Human Resources team?
The HR team, like all other teams, had to adjust to the new format of remote work or working from a distance. We had to find new ways to stay in constant contact. And video conferencing platforms have undoubtedly been our best friend. We are in permanent contact via Teams. We choose to prioritize video contact so we can see facial expressions and, with that, better sense the other person.
On the other hand, it accelerated our strategy for contacting candidates and employees.
How did remote work cause this acceleration?
In terms of recruitment, remote work ended up accelerating our entire video call contact strategy. Something we had started before the pandemic and which we strengthened during it, with quite interesting gains in efficiency and effectiveness of contact.
The distance also accelerated the use of the digital component in training our employees, and increased our focus on health and safety. It also increased more direct contact with our employees through existing communication vehicles, such as our intranet. And it stimulated more personalized contacts with the department via email. Something that seems to be the antithesis of personal contact, but in reality, since we are a Portuguese group with a large geographical dispersion, contact, especially with clinical units and other business and support areas, was already largely done remotely. With the pandemic and remote work, what we want is for this contact to be more personalized now.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not come without challenges for the HR team.
What was the biggest challenge brought by the pandemic?
The biggest challenge, not only concerning the HR area, but all team leaders of clinical units and other business and support areas, was also to cultivate proximity, resilience, and recognition of each team member. People who, during these more adverse times, proved to be true fearless warriors in the permanent mission of restoring Oral Health to each Patient.
Without a doubt, being able to recognize the teams and deliver the praise they deserve is very important in these tough days we are living.
Since you deal closely with OralMED's greatest driving force, how have you felt the motivation of teams from different areas in recent months?
We feel that Strength, Courage, Humanity, and sense of mission are there every day, in every gesture. And that's what motivates and moves our Organization. Even more so in times when fatigue, frustration at not being able to return to normality, and the impact that COVID has had on our employees and families clearly wear us down as individuals and teams. However, we have absolutely fantastic teams that don't turn their backs on a challenge and don't give up without a fight. Uniting every day to ensure that everyone is there for each other, in an extraordinary union and sense of mutual help. This is the reason why we all believe that, together, we will emerge stronger and victorious.
What predictions do you make for the coming months?
The uncertainty of the moment forces us to make short and medium-term plans. At this moment, it's important to focus on achieving our goal, in a culture of permanent proximity and recognition, clearly in a more digital environment. The employees of our Organization understand that, despite the fragility of the moment, we have a very special mission to fulfill: to restore the Oral Health of all our Patients. Maintaining, of course, the level of quality and service that we are recognized for, in these more than 11 years of group activity. This means maintaining the level of dedication to our Patients. Continuing to embrace all the recognition given to us. Still keeping ourselves attentive to the needs of our teams.
About the OralMED Saúde Group
The OralMED Saúde Group is the first Portuguese group specializing in Dental Medicine. With more than 11 years of experience and a leader in the sector, it already has more than 60 of its own clinical units, three dedicated laboratories, and an integrated contact center.boratórios dedicados e com um contact center integrado.
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