Manage HR Magazine | Thursday, March 04, 2021
Some employees have enjoyed the flexibility that arises from working remotely and would like to continue in that environment. Others who work in shared office spaces, ride busy elevators, or use public transportation may not be comfortable with the increased social interactions of returning to the office environment.
Fremont, CA: Right now, it is difficult to predict what the workforce landscape will look like post–Covid-19. The pandemic required many organizations to adjust quickly, as employees transitioned to working from home and adopted a new work environment almost instantly—especially if the company did not already have remote-work policies in place. Now, as modern society and the economy adapt to the “new normal,” companies must determine what their workforce will look like long-term, when they are likely facing a different business environment, changing employee preferences, and new safety measures.
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Going to Work or Staying Home?
As the option to return to the physical workplace is becoming viable for many businesses, some employees may be eager to get back to the office for more social interactions, better productivity, and more efficient tools and facilities. That does not necessarily mean everyone is ready to return.
Some employees have enjoyed the flexibility that arises from working remotely and would like to continue in that environment. Others who work in shared office spaces, ride busy elevators, or use public transportation may not be comfortable with the increased social interactions of returning to the office environment. Recognizing that many employees prefer to work from home will increase a company’s success in talent management going forward.
New Workforce Culture
Employers that choose to combine remote and traditional work environments for their workforce in the long term will need to rethink their procedures. For example, per social distancing guidelines, meetings in conference rooms may need more distance between chairs, and eating in the cafeteria may require processes that minimize interactions. The office may also need new health precautions, such as daily temperature checks and sanitization stations.
Remote and on-site work environments will need additional HR support to help workers handle their interests and adapt to the newfound settings. It is important to understand how workers feel and to concentrate on re-engageing everyone on what it means to be part of an organization. Finding some pressure points and improving the work culture—which would necessarily look a lot different from the pre-Covid culture—encourages workers to remain engaged and committed to the business.
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