There is no denying the way that COVID-19 has changed the way that workplaces operate globally. Months on end spent on the couch, zoom calls, and working remotely has empowered individuals to take a more balanced approach to their work-life balance. In doing so, there is new pressure on employers to find flexible working arrangements that work for their employees.
It is estimated that 17% of global workplaces will now operate from home permanently as a direct result of the COVID-19 impact. From this number, a further 22% of workplaces now provide flexible working arrangements that empower employees to work from home for around half of the working week. With that in mind, here are three important ways that COVID-19 has changed the workplace for good.
1. Employees Want Comfortable Spaces
Getting comfortable from your home office and from your couch means that it can be hard to adapt back to a regular workplace environment. One leading company reported that office furniture Perth sales had spiked over the November – January period with employees returning to work. Many employers reported that workers were looking for more comfortable working arrangements to help the transition back to the workplace.
2. Safety Measures Have Increased
It goes without saying, but personal hygiene and safety has come to the forefront as individuals expect a safer, cleaner workplace. Hand sanitising stations and improved washroom facilities are a few of the requirements that employees expect more from in their workplace.
3. An Emphasis on Output
At the end of the day, the priority must always be the amount of work that is being delivered, not the amount of time that is being spent at a desk or in an office. A study by Forbes in 2020 found that the pandemic had forced many employers to rethink the way that they measure personal KPIs for employees in the wake of reduced face to face contact. Employees are now looking for output from employees and setting tasks with definitive end dates to ensure that work is being delivered. There is a reduced emphasis on spending time in the office.
