The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented change to how people work, both in the office and at home. Whilst the most immediate changes may be short-term responses, the pandemic will have long lasting effects on office work.
1 - Physical Changes
The pandemic has all of a sudden brought a new level of awareness about our surroundings. This awareness has an impact wherever we are, from the home to the office, the supermarket to the local park. In the office, this can result in spaces that are closer to resembling hospitals. Seating may have moved further apart, health screening points added and hygiene stations are springing up on every corner.
Due to lockdowns and staff working remotely, some offices have found themselves sitting empty for months on end. Without appropriate care, this can result in an increase in moisture within a room, and so protecting properties with methods such as damp proofing will become more important. A damp proofing survey can help shed more light on the issues.
2 - Flexible Working
Many people have settled into working from home and the flexibility that this can provide. People now want to work for organisations that offer flexible working and provide a better work-life balance or the option to work remotely.
3 - Reliance On Technology
Whilst working from home, employees have ended up with an increasing reliance on technology to allow them to keep in contact with colleagues and carry out their roles to the best of their ability. This trend is unlikely to change even as workers go back into the office as meetings will become virtual and the benefits of collaboration software become more well known.
4 - Upskilling
Technology has been rapidly advancing for years, and the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the effect that this has on working life. Today, the use of artificial intelligence and automation is increasing rapidly, especially as workers are spending more time out of the office. Organisations will start looking into ways that they can cut costs, and unfortunately if workers cannot upskill and grow with their role, they may find their roles are no longer required.
5 - Collaboration
The unique challenges of working remotely whilst still collaborating with a team can have a positive impact. Individuals may find themselves feeling closer to their colleagues after seeing them working in pajamas or watching their child run in on a Zoom call demanding a hug. These unique events humanise the relationships between employees, bringing them closer together. This then naturally improves how they work together.
6 - Smaller Offices
Some companies may find themselves opting instead for multiple distributed small offices rather than one large one. Traditionally, many companies will operate one large central office, however the coronavirus pandemic could cause a shift towards companies instead opting for a network of smaller offices. Having multiple small offices could help employees avoid exposure to diseases on public transport, and limit the chances of a virus spreading through the entire workforce.
7 - Contactless Offices
Some experts believe that contactless offices could become commonplace amongst the corporations that are able to afford the initial outlay. Instead of using communal buttons, employees might be able to use an app to call an elevator or pour a coffee. An alternative method of achieving this would be by using voice activation.
