To be honest, what the workplace will look like after the pandemic is still unfolding. But we do know that it is no longer going to be business as usual. Employers have learned, quite surprisingly, that they now have lesser control over how work is done in their companies for the past several months. The proactively-minded ones have fully embraced the remote work model and focused their resources on helping employees stay motivated and productive.
A lot of nursing mothers no longer need to juggle between the daycare, office, and home. Home is now the office and daycare. More employees, in one way or another, have been able to strike a better balance between work and family, and so on. In this article, we'll review what some of these workplace changes mean for employers and business owners and what to expect in the near future.
Employees Will Be Anxious to Return to the Office
According to a report by The Limeade Institute, more employees showed a strong preference for remote over on-site office work. That's a major shift that employers will have to deal with. A good number of new hires these days do look out for the possibility of working from home upon resumption when Job hunting. The truth is work from home has left an indelible impression. It is here to stay.
Reports from multiple surveys during and after the pandemic show that employees love the flexibility of working remotely and most of them are willing to leave their jobs for another that allows them to work remotely if asked to return to the office. According to a particular survey by Flexjob, 65% of employees who were working at home during the pandemic said they'd like to work remotely, full-time post-pandemic. Another 33% said they preferred a hybrid work arrangement. All of these in addition to the fact that productivity didn't drop (it even increases in some scenarios) are reasons why remote work will stay.
Some companies have already started implementing a hybrid work style, where employees are required to come to the office only when it is necessary or if they choose to. Adopting hybrid work means that employees have the liberty to work from anywhere that they choose unless their work requires them to go to the office. According to JLL's Human Experience Survey, we can expect to see more of this post-pandemic.
The Hybrid Workplace
Although the hybrid workplace had been existing before the COVID-19 pandemic, it has seemingly become one of the mainstays of the workplace of the future. When you critically observe the changes brought on by the pandemic, a hybrid workplace features as one of the major highlights. Today, companies are beginning to expand their capacities to accommodate these realities and continue to thrive.
Companies like Microsoft recognize that hybrid work requires a new/different operating model and strategy that includes flexible work policy, innovative technology solutions, and enhanced workplace design to cater to the new needs of workers within the organization. For smaller businesses, this might take a longer time to implement, but the main point here is recognizing that there's a new normal in the workplace and the best time to adjust is now. A closer look or proper assessment of the situation also shows that in adjusting to these changes, organizations are actually emphasizing worker's well-being and satisfaction. Truly, there's no better way to get the best out of your employees unless they're enjoying work.
The choice of deciding between working full-time from the office and working remotely is one factor that sets the hybrid model apart. Workers like to have some liberty in deciding how they want to go about their work. Without a doubt, implementing a hybrid workplace will ultimately encourage creativity, innovation, and some degree of autonomy. Employees thrive in this kind of environment because their job satisfaction will increase.
Workers' Welfare
Workers' compensation and welfare will always remain topics for discussion. The COVID-19 pandemic only makes the discussion more important. Workers' safety needs to be included when deciding if they should work remotely or on-site. But generally, organizations that want the best from their employees must be equally invested in their welfare and satisfaction at work.
Understandably, some workers need to be physically present in the office to do their job. While there's a need to keep such workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic by mandating vaccination and observing workplace safety protocols, the discussions on workers' welfare do not end there. Employee benefits plan still need to be competitive and reasonable. It must reflect the culture of the organization and reward the efforts of your employees. One of the best ways small and medium-sized businesses can achieve this is by hiring professional HR services like PEO solutions.
Employers need to keep in mind that the workplace of the future is one that makes employee benefits a priority. Employers who tow this route (all organizations should anyway) effectively position their brands positively on the market and in their industry at large.
Creating a Workplace for the Future
With the changes brought on by the pandemic, it is no surprise that the workplace will change post-COVID. In adjusting for the future, organizations must take note of the key factors that make for a thriving business in the near future after the pandemic. Interestingly, the bulk of the work rests on human resources.
About the Mission HR
The Mission HR is a leading partner in the PEO, HR, payroll, and benefits outsourcing marketplace. We provide a valuable service for small and medium-sized organizations and government contractors, serving as a trusted partner in integrated human resource (HR) compliance, risk management, employee benefits, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), and payroll processing.