Covid-19 has changed the way we live, work and play forever.
With remote working now more common than ever before (despite the fact that the technologies enabling us to work from anywhere have been available for many years), what we consider to be the typical workplace has undergone a seismic shift.
As well as improved flexibility for staff and significantly reduced operating costs for organisation, remote working has also delivered a number of mental and physical health benefits along with economic perks, so are we ready to wave goodbye to remote working post-pandemic?
With many countries making moves to ease restrictions and allow staff to return to the office, some businesses are finding that their staff aren’t necessarily thrilled at the prospect of a return to business as usual. While remote working isn’t for everyone, research suggests that 65% of workers would like to retain their remote worker status post-pandemic. A further 31% would like to be able to work remotely some of the time, splitting their work week between the office and another location of their choice.
It shouldn’t really come as a surprise to hear that many who have been working remotely are loathe to give up the flexibility this model affords them to care for their families while also working, cut down on commuting time and generally take better care of their own wellbeing.
There are also benefits for the business too; cloud–based meetings has allowed for better time management for many employees who no longer have to travel to different locations to meet with colleagues. This reduces down time and cuts travel costs. Having a team that doesn’t all need to be housed in the same space also means that vast, incredibly expensive corporate headquarters are no longer a must-have, with downsizing a very real possibility.
As technologies for remote working have had the opportunity to be tried and tested in the field, many organisations are now envisioning a future where some element of remote remains. A Gartner survey says that 80% of business leaders intend to allow remote working after the pandemic. The report notes that the necessity of enabling remote work has now equipped many workplaces to continue in a similar vein, saying ”The pandemic has caused companies to not only move much of their workforce to remote status, but also create support systems and architectures that may allow permanent access to remote work and other forms of flexibility in the future.” With those systems in place, it makes sense that this flexible, more agile approach to the workplace will stick around in one form or another.”
