New-Normal and Employment Relations of Telecommunication Industry in South East Nigeria

The challenges posed by the pandemic and its implications to individuals, organizations and society have exacerbated the already problematic state of (OHS) in Nigeria. To this effect, this study examined new normal and employment relations of telecommunication industry in South East, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to: assess the effect of remote and hybrid work on employee competence, determine the effect of digital transformation and automation on employee responsiveness, the study adopted a survey design approach while primary and secondary sources of data were used to obtain accurate data from the study. The target population of five hundred and sixty-four (564) obtained from the twenty (20) selected MNOs in South-East, Nigeria. The sample size of three hundred and ninety-two (392) respondents was derived from Godden (2004) statistical formula. The study utilized Simple Linear Regression Model, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearson Correlation Coefficient of SPSS Version 27.0 to test the hypotheses The result of the findings revealed that remote and hybrid work had a positive and significant effect on employee competence, digital transformation and automation had a positive and significant effect on employee responsiveness, From the results of the hypotheses testing, the study concluded that new normal had a positive and significant effect on employment relations of telecommunication industry in South-East, Nigeria and therefore recommended that the management of MNOs should continuously implement flexible frameworks, deepen their digital transformation and automation strategies and to develop comprehensive and inclusive DEI policies, Conclusively, the business world is heading a new way and changes in the labor markets to keep businesses running are imperative across industries of all sizes in the post-pandemic era. Hence, adequate digital infrastructure adoption is essential for employees’ superior performance in the future.