The world of work – and the world itself, for that matter – is constantly changing and evolving. McKinsey reports that the pandemic has accelerated the rate of change and how both employers and employees view work, which was already sped up by technology developments. So how can you make sure that your business and its employees can keep up?

Be insured
In a very straightforward sense, this is the best way to future-proof your business. From unemployment to worker's comp, there are all sorts of ways that skimping on insurance can come back to bite you later (not to mention, it's sometimes illegal). Stay covered and you'll avoid any trouble in the future. 

Use a staffing agency
This is a great way to ensure you have staff whenever you need them, you're covered by the right insurance and free from legal risk, and you have the flexibility to grow. By using a staffing agency you avoid the hassle of reviewing resumes, interviewing, hiring, payroll and legal issues. And although it comes at a price, you are able to fluctuate your schedule and how many employees you need based on how much work there is because most often, these are temporary jobs. Don't forget, if you have employees who are hired through the agency that do a great job and you don't want to lose them, you can always bring them on full time (though depending on the contract with the agency, there may be a temp-to-hire fee to keep in mind.)

Retention
Upping your focus on retention is a key part of the future. By focusing only on the nitty gritty of cost, hours, and limited resources, you are focusing on the NOW. But by ensuring employees are happy and taken care of, earning a fair wage, feel safe and comfortable at work, and have room for growth, you can ensure than most of your employees stick around for the long haul, saving you the time and money of hiring new employees and the dreaded turnover.

Provide skill building, continued training
Harvard Business Review reports that more than 60% of a company's future roles can be filled by current employees if there are adequate programs in place. By giving employees opportunity to train on the job, continue learning, and build their skills, not only are you helping them, but you're also helping future you. Consider implementing programs that give employees learning opportunities and help them grow into higher roles.

Organizational purpose
McKinsey suggests that employees need to be aware of purpose, value, and culture. Having a purpose and contributing to something that feels important can go a long way in retaining employees. Aligning values is more important than ever to employees.

Depending on the business and the role, you might pick and choose which of these points resonate most with you. Above all else, it's important to make sure you're covered legally, you have a strong purpose and mission, and you treat employees right. As long as these bases are covered, you'll be future-proofing your staff.