With the promises that the vaccines bring, more businesses are starting to open and are looking forward to bringing back their employees to the office. But what exactly would a return to the office entail? How can employers balance what the company needs and employees’ wants? What can you do to foster a work culture in an office environment after people get used to working remotely?
Just like when people have heard of the pandemic, preparing the office and calling the employees back to the workplace comes with a lot of uncertainty. While it won’t be a seamless transition and getting answers won’t be easy, employers should consider the trends they can use to determine the best path towards a post-pandemic workplace.
Consider the pros and cons of a hybrid work model.
Over the months, many studies have shown that more than half of the employees would like to stay on a flexible work setup. Many had to get used to working remotely while staying connected with the rest of the team via virtual meetings. While it took different strategies to make it work for two years, employees are not ready to give up the sense of freedom that the pandemic has brought everyone.
Consider the worries of the employees and what would make them stay. If remote work keeps them happy due to the work-life balance it brings, there are many hybrid models to adapt. It won’t be an easy transition, but like how the pandemic started, it’s about finding what works on both ends. On the other hand, consider the challenges a hybrid setup could bring. For example, when a team is working remotely, can they stay productive or efficient at work? How can work managers influence continuous communication and engagement within the group?
Develop people strategy
While preparing the workplace for your team, keep fairness in mind. Several employees want to work remotely, while some may be open to working in-house again. Does that mean recognition and rewards should only be given to employees working in the office again?
The hybrid work model is not a one-size-fits-all. Understanding the different needs of employees during the pandemic is vital. Create a healthy work environment and culture centered around the employees’ well-being. The work setup needs to have the ability to develop a work relationship or bonds whether they are interacting digitally or in person. By creating a robust people strategy that embraces equality, employees will most likely stay with a company that provides equal opportunities and builds strong connections no matter where they choose to work.
Invest in the right technology for innovation
Before the pandemic happened, technology played a key role in improving efficiency, leveraging resources, or enhancing the speed of service. Nowadays, technology is vital to a workplace for communication across teams and fostering collaboration no matter where people are.
Since there’s no telling when the pandemic will end, there has been a significant trend of tech adoption in different industries. This technology brings innovation to help companies operate with more flexibility while still promoting growth among employees and success for the business.
Companies should invest in technology that meets the needs of the workplace and the expectations of clients. Furthermore, it needs to enhance the employees’ experience to improve their productivity during their work hours rather than staying long hours with a low productivity rate. Of course, there are challenges in bringing new technology in the workplace but implemented the right way; employees will be happier and accelerate their digital learning.
The Takeaway
Covid-19 has turned millions of people into virtual workers. However, with new trends emerging, employers are hopeful in finding the right strategy to help bring their employees back into the office. The key is to determine what works for the business and its people to succeed in a post-pandemic world. Fine-tune strategies with new technology such as ProSpace’s solutions. Innovative solutions such as desk reservation, conference room booking, and visitor management are just some of the solutions to challenges that will dramatically impact a company’s future success.
Let’s connect! With a live demo, we can show you how our workplace solutions can create opportunities for growth and innovation while placing a high value on employee experience. Contact us now, and someone from our team will reach out to you shortly.
