While we were getting accustomed to the ‘new normal’, the announcement of Covid vaccines to be released soon seems to be promising us getting back to our old offices. Remote working, flexible working hours, online meetings, and adapting to technology have been an eminent part of work life after the pandemic struck.
But will it remain the same after the vaccine launches? What is the future of work after the pandemic? Will we have the same work life that we had before 2020? Will we get back to the ‘old normal’? Under the current circumstances, it can be predicted that we will go back to our desks and cubicle at work soon, but indeed the pandemic has changed some things permanently.
How has Covid 19 affected the back to work situation?
As every company is thinking of reopening their offices, they cannot deny cost reduction from real estate and changing employee behavior. After so many months of remote work, it can be a challenging task for both employer and employee to adjust again in the workplace.
Some of the expected changes are as follows.
- Flexible Working Plans
73% of employees claim flexible working enhances their productivity. Therefore, if companies try to enforce the 9 to 5 concept after the pandemic, there are higher chances of employee turnovers. 89% of companies have adopted flexible working arrangements leading to significantly high productivity and employee retention rate. There are high chances that most companies will adopt flexible working plans instead of fixed working hours in the future.
- Greater emphasis on mental health
Mental health has been a hidden stigma, but recently it has been recognized as a serious matter. Most companies have accepted that employees should be offered mental health upgrades to ensure the smooth working of the organization. Pandemic has been a traumatic experience for a large number of people. Therefore, mental health assistance is an immediate concern that should be taken care of by organizations.
- Changed perspective on performance evaluation
As said earlier, the concept of a 9 to 5 job has been erased in most companies. Therefore, employees conning employers with long hour stays at the office won’t work anymore. Most companies are upgrading their appraisal and evaluation metrics based on performance instead of office time-based metrics.
- Reduction of official travel
With the practice of online meetings, most companies have the intention to cut off corporate travels unless it’s unavoidable. With the outbreak of the pandemic, there were strict travel restrictions, and most companies have found an alternative to conduct their business without travel. Therefore, it is expected that most companies find corporate travel a waste of resources now.
- Adoption of Touch less techs
Even after the vaccine launch, most people would prefer to use touch less ways wherever they can. Therefore, there are greater chances that companies will adopt touch less techs instead of biometrics for attendance. Companies may as well take initiatives to adopt techs to make use of elevators and doors touch less.
The chaos of getting back to work
People are relieved with the vaccine announcement, but not many want to get back to work. While most companies are willing to continue remote work, some big companies have made it clear that their employees are heading back to their offices.
The companies preferring back to office decision are backing with satisfying standards of safety protocols. However, people are reluctant to work again in offices due to the fear and risk of corona virus.
Another factor of parents going back to their offices is the staggered schedules of schools. Evidently, most parents are still coping with the online schooling of their children. If offices reopen, there is a dilemma of employees to stick to office timing owing to their children’s online classes.
Companies like Google and Twitter have been very supportive of remote working. While few companies are saving on their real estate rents, some are redesigning their office space in compliance with social distancing protocols for getting back to work. Now that vaccine has been announced to launch soon, it is chaos about getting back to offices.
Primary Precautions for back to work
As the vaccine announcements have given us new hopes, we really hope the social distancing and wearing mask era comes to an end. However, as per experts’ opinions, the changes that have enrolled in our lives will take time to eliminate. Therefore, we are enlisting some of the precautions that can be effective to help you get back to your office.
- Avoid handshakes
- Always sanitize your hands after touching any public place like doorknobs, switches, elevator switches, etc.
- Wash your hand with soap before the meal
- Do not touch your mouth or nose while working
- Sanitize after using money
Yes, these may seem just basic health and safety guidelines but can effectively lower your chances of any disease.
Final Thoughts
While 22% of the population is interested in getting back to their desks, a significant part does not feel comfortable going back to work. Therefore, even if the vaccines are launched, very few people may be willing to get back to work immediately.
The pressures of career advancements and lay off may bring employees back to their office; there is a high chance of a drop in their productivity. Companies must deal with this challenging situation with compassion and wit to ensure that employees get back to work happily.
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