Workplaces worldwide are trying their best to adhere to the ‘new normal’ of the post-COVID-19 scenario. COVID-19 has changed the entire workplace and organizations with people following social distancing norms and masks. The pandemic situation also saw many organizations offering and shifting to tech-oriented work or remote working opportunities for their employees.
Post Covid Trends
Workplace Trends during COVID-19
Technology-based future
As technology replaced the physical workplace environment making it a virtual one, it can be used as a differentiator in making workplaces flexible. Many leading organizations and firms that earlier were hesitant about virtual work have adapted to the new normal. Also, organizations are adopting newer technologies to reduce common touch-points in workplaces.
Work environment
COVID-19 pandemic has led to flexibility in workplaces and timings. Employees are given flexible work timings or virtual work situations to avoid rush and contact at workspaces. A flexible work environment is always productive and useful in retaining valuable talent.
Social-distancing workplace
Social distancing is one of the primary rules to follow to prevent and avoid COVID-19. As such, offices also had to follow the order and adapt open-plan spaces for employees and ensure that the strictest hygienic measures are followed. Workers are allowed to visit offices less frequently, and when they do, it will only be to collaborate with co-workers.
Work-life integration
With home transforming to workspaces for many and fluidity between workspace and living spaces, one can see that workplaces are evolving to include newer elements to facilitate a productive work-life balance and increase productivity for organizations. Also, the residential developments are creating productive common spaces aimed at co-working. Simultaneously, some apartments have designed alcoves within the campus that can be used as office space.
Remote working
COVID-19 will have lasting impacts on the work scenarios- how and where people work. With several guidelines and precautions for COVID-19, offices are switching to remote working scenarios, and employees are working from the comfort of their homes. Virtual technologies are enabling this situation to be a reality.
As physical workplaces are changing, the flexibility of employees themselves is crucial. While increased space in workplaces is essential, the need for space to collaborate and innovate is equally vital. As government guidelines are making two meters’ distance between people during meetings mandatory, hot desks, open office plans, and colleagues sitting close to one another will soon be a thing of the past.