The jury is out – Can the HR managers be the choice architects in a post-pandemic work setting?

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of HR managers as choice architects to increase the communication efforts for vaccination drives, thereby making the workplace a safe place for all employees. Design/methodology/approach: This study used qualitative research methodology and interviewed 10 HR managers. Findings: The findings indicate that HR managers can use the nudge theory and choice architecture to encourage employees towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Practical implications: HR professionals will get an alternate perspective regarding how learnings from behavioural economics can be leveraged in a post-pandemic world which can help them create a safe working environment. Originality/value: This paper is an attempt to explore how learnings from behavioural economics (that is, nudge theory and choice architecture) can be leveraged by HR managers to design default options while organizing COVID-19 vaccination camps to motivate employees to get fully vaccinated and hence creating a safe working environment. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.