COVID-19 has changed how people work. Many companies have announced that workers will be able to work from home indefinitely, even once their offices are back up-and-running.
Workers are finding remote work more productive and less stressful than commuting to an office daily. CEOs and managers who were once skeptical of remote work are now starting to see its possibilities, including the need for less office space in the future.
The post-pandemic world is changing the world of work for the better. Here are the top 3 top work trends to look forward to in a post-pandemic world.
1. Hybrid Work
Many companies are going to implement hybrid work programs where employees work from home one to three days per week while working remotely for the remainder of the week.
Workers who work in more task-oriented positions, such as programmers and developers, are going to have more opportunities to work remotely permanently without the need to go into an office.
More remote work means a better work-life balance for everyone. It means more time to work where you want when you want, with the opportunity to live a more active lifestyle.
Many workers are finding the time to do other activities, such as exercising or practicing self care, during their workday as a result of the time saved by not commuting and other work-related distractions, all while being more productive and less stressed.
According to research conducted by Slack with 9,000 knowledge workers, 72 percent of workers prefer a hybrid approach to work.
Many top-tier employers are likely implementing hybrid work programs solely to attract top-tier talent, all while saving money on office space.
2. The Office Reimagined
Many executives are worried that remote or hybrid work might destroy company culture. To address these concerns, many offices are going to shift from productive environments to pro-social environments.
The Chief People Officer at Reddit, Nellie Peshkov, is working on an office-makeover in which different teams will be assigned a unique “neighborhood” within the office. The new offices will be less about coming in to do work at a desk and will be more focused on collaboration, innovation and building connections.
In the new hybrid-work office, you can expect to see an emphasis on communal gathering spaces to promote socializing and collaboration. Think larger breakrooms, outdoor areas, or dining areas, and less private conference rooms and cubicles.
Additionally, new strategies and technologies will be built around remote workers to help them communicate, collaborate and feel more connected with their colleagues. Apps like Google Hangouts, Slack and FreeConferenceCall.com will remain indispensable. Remote workers will continue to be encouraged to participate in group activities throughout the day, such as workouts, coffee breaks, lunch and happy-hours.
3. A Shorter Work-Week
Many countries and organizations have started experimenting with shorter work days before the pandemic. The current 8-hour workday is a product of social movements and general strikes as a response to the industrial revolution, where employees worked 10-18 hour days.
This model is a bit outdated.
Today, one study found that the average worker only has around 1-3 productive work hours at work per day.
A labor study funded by the Swedish government on nurses found that six-hour workdays made them happier, healthier, less-stressed and more productive.
Finland’s prime minister recently advocated for a four-day workweek and many businesses have already adopted the four-day workweek.
After all, employers pay workers to get work done, not to just show up somewhere at a specific time for a specific number of hours. As Jody Thompson of CultureRx puts it, a manager’s goal is to “manage the work, not the people.”
Work after COVID-19 is going to look a lot different. Expect to see lasting changes for the better, with more productive and happier employees at the core, new offices that inspire creativity and connection, and a better work-life balance.
