This pandemic has forced companies to face the question of when—and if—their employees should go back to the office. Work needs to be completed, moving forward the way business is conducted will be different.
Some companies have allowed their employees to go back to the office. But, all companies are being forced to rethink typical corporate culture and develop new policies to adapt; to these unprecedented times. But what does this mean for the workers, especially this newest generation of the workforce? What will work look like?
I'm sorry, the old corporate culture can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, 'cause it's dead!
Should we return to office culture?
Aside from essential workers, most organizations don't have mandatory in-person policies at this time. Society has adapted to working from home and the shift is looking permanent.
Is that a bad thing? Did any of us truly enjoy open floor plans in offices with no privacy? A popcorn machine in the office? Or a ping pong table? We certainly didn't want to hear our co-workers' odd playlists all day.
We were daydreaming of travel and now that jobs aren't necessarily tied to a location, more of Gen Z is taking advantage of not being location dependent. Remote work visas are popping up around the world, and the temptation to catch a flight and hermit in a beach villa somewhere is strong.
Is "work from anywhere" a feasible future?
With many working from home due to the pandemic, companies are able to see that all this time there were many benefits for a telecommuting work lifestyle. The team is just as productive and they are cutting costs by not needing to be physically in the building.
It'll also be an adjustment now if companies go back to office work all the time. Many have been taking advantage of the nice weather, and have had the sound of birds chirping in the background rather than office talk.
People around the world have also been laid off from their jobs and are looking for new creative outlets.
Although travel isn’t fully normal again, people are taking advantage of getting to know their quarantine location or home more. Maybe this was the push someone always needed to fulfill their dreams of creating their own business and living where and how they want.
There's been a spike in Gen Z becoming creative entrepreneurs and working virtually, taking part in movements like van life.
Influencers' impact on the economy
With the rise of social media, influencers are more prevalent than ever before.
The trend to move marketing to social media isn't new. Consumers trust influencers' voices when they see them advertising. This can help normalize the idea of leaving the corporate steady paycheck and monotonous work in exchange for travel blogging with each day being new and exciting.
Once travel is fully open again, it could be a picnic by the Eiffel Tower or even taking photos by the Pyramids in Egypt.
Peoples' destinies are now in their hands.
There are more sponsorships out there with companies like Lonely Planet, who see the benefit of working with influencers, getting their consumers' opinions, and hearing from various viewpoints.
For those whose company is now closing the office for good, working remotely could be cost-saving for the company. They no longer need to pay the costs of keeping a building running like electricity, furniture, nor parking passes for their employees.
Employees now don't have a commute, can eat when they want, and dress how they want (well at least from the waist down in video calls) to just name a few things.
Setting yourself up for success
To have the most success working from home or on the go, employees should create a schedule and a communication plan with their co-workers. Having a designated workspace, equipment, and an office setup leads you to success.
On nice days, work on the deck, and on other days find quiet office space near a window. Our fluffy fur friends are especially happy that we are home to take them for walks and play with them more!
Working from home when you live with others can be tough. This is why your new coworkers—family, friends, roommates—have to be flexible and make video calls in different rooms.
Once the pandemic is over, people can choose to travel. One week their favorite coffee shop could be their office, the next a beach, and the following a ski resort.
Benefits companies could provide moving forward
Companies could help cover more conferences for their employees to attend since they aren't paying for the cost of electricity and other needs in an office. This will help the tourism industry rebuild itself. Working from home can be tough, but there are free online tools to help your productivity.
Retreats for employees to attend to get to know each other for a designated week each year rather than working with each other every day would allow for employees to spend quality time together. They could bond, have fun, and satisfy that working in-person point to make the business successful in connection with the rest of the year. Some employees would think a work vacation is a perk.
Employers could be generous here and supply their employees with up-to-date equipment. To name some ideas, this could include:
Extra monitors
Lighting equipment
Computers
Comfy chairs
Desks that can be raised or lowered so employees can stand or sit while working
Some companies reimburse phone bills, wifi, and even gym memberships to provide their employees with positive morale and show they are cared for.
Just like many start-ups who want their employees to love their offices so much that they wouldn't want to leave, imagine if your office could travel with you now. It would also be possible to have a life outside of work that you love too. Many people want the opportunity of remote work life for more freedom and fun.
The goal is to achieve a work-life balance. They want to be able to see people in their lives when they want and discover new places.
Corporate culture as we knew, will never be the same
Telecommuting isn't for everyone, but the old model did not work and maybe the best option is a hybrid.
I think Americans especially want more flexibility in their life outside the office and the option to conduct work elsewhere. Many other countries do this already and have more generous vacation time like Australia.
The on-boarding process and internships will look different in this new model, as well. Hiring managers can hire top talent without location being a factor. We all know that hiring for corporate culture was only intended for white employees. Diversity, which we so desperately need, could happen more realistically now.
These trends were going to happen, but COVID-19 brought to light the benefits faster. We will look back at corporate offices the way we look at VHS tapes in the face of Netflix now.
If you are not an essential worker, have you returned to work in person permanently? What do you think of remote work for the future? Would be interested in knowing your perspective.