With many workplaces gradually reopening in the coming days and weeks, it’s worth nothing that according to at least one survey, workers don’t expect to return to business as usual — and in some cases, they don’t even want to.
That certainly isn’t to say that there isn’t a good portion of the workforce just itching to return to the office and some semblance of normalcy after COVID-19 changed the way we work for more than two months.
However, as many workers have been working from home the past few months, they’ve have had time to think about how, where, and when they want to work, as well as their expectations of employers when businesses reopen.
“Moving forward, employees and employers will not necessarily return to ‘business as usual,’” notes Sasha Truckenbrod, the Madison branch manager of staffing firm Robert Half. “We’ll likely begin to see the emergence of a new normal. Post-pandemic employees have different expectations and companies will need to reassess priorities and make meaningful changes that will improve the work environment for their staff. Remote work has been a positive experience for the majority of workers we surveyed, and many have the desire to telecommute more often than they did before the pandemic.”
That survey, of more than 1,000 office professionals conducted between April 17–22, had some interesting results:
Pandemic perceptions — Among employees currently working from home:
- 20% feel closer to their colleagues;
- 60% feel their work-life balance has improved without a commute; and
- 63% now realize their job is doable from home.
The case for personal space:
- 56% worry about being in close proximity to others in the office;
- 57% will rethink traveling for business;
- 59% will reconsider attending in-person business events; and
- 72% will think twice before shaking hands.
Expectations for employers —When asked about measures workers expect their employer to take following COVID-19, top responses included:
- Allowing employees to work from home more often (79%);
- Having better cleaning procedures (79%);
- Holding fewer in-person meetings and trainings (70%);
- Staggering employees’ work schedules (55%);
- Requiring employees to wear masks (52%); and
- Changing the office layout (46%).
Parenting in the pandemic — Parents working from home have faced new challenges, trying to work while caretaking and teaching for the first time. But the research shows:
- 27% feel closer to their colleagues;
- 64% report better work-life balance without a commute;
- 62% worry about working in close proximity to others in the office; and
- 79% would like to work remotely more often once buildings re-open.
That’s a lot of data to digest but the message seems clear — employees expect a different workplace and want their employers to continue being flexible about work arrangements post-pandemic.
“Employers should be prepared for a workforce with an increased appetite for remote work as a result of the pandemic, especially in the early stages of recovery,” says Truckenbrod. “Companies should be using this time to ensure they have the right technology and protocols in place to best support a remote workforce.
“Our research shows professionals have taken social distancing to heart and will value personal space when they return to the office,” Truckenbrod continues. “Out of 1,000 office workers we surveyed, 77% are currently working from home and the majority are concerned about being in close proximity to colleagues at the office. Based on the data, it’s safe to say we’ll likely see a shift in how people interact with one another at work.”
One positive outcome from shifting to a more remote workforce over the past two-plus months? It seems like co-workers and managers have a little more empathy for one another.
“COVID-19 has impacted everyone and created a ‘we’re in this together’ attitude,” Truckenbrod acknowledges. “We’ve experienced fear, uncertainty, and challenges together, which may be increasing empathy in our professional relationships.”
Additionally, the use of video tools has helped to break down barriers and let professionals see the personal side of their colleagues and managers, whether it be children or pets in the background, their home offices, etc.
Working parents have had different challenges during this time as children are at home and parents are taking on homeschooling and additional responsibilities, reminds Truckenbrod. It’s important for managers to be empathetic and remain flexible with parents who may have inconsistent schedules and need to take more frequent breaks, especially as summer begins and options for childcare like camps and summer school will likely be unavailable this year.
On the positive side, Truckenbrod believes there are some good things we can glean from living and working through the pandemic so far:
- “One lasting outcome may be an increase in the number of people who can work from home. While working from home was previously a perk for many professionals, these days it’s become a necessity. Long term, companies that previously did not offer working from home may do so, to the benefit of both workers and employers.
- “The rise of video calls and video conferencing. Many workers have become more comfortable with videoconferencing and communicating in this visual way. And it’s not just for meetings — employers are learning how to do every aspect of business virtually, from interviews to negotiating salary and even the onboarding. The virtual workplace is our new normal for many roles and industries at this time.
- “Companies may also look to redesign current roles and positions within the organization, allowing for more autonomy and moving away from routine tasks toward strategic projects. A number of factors may be at play here, from the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to simply allowing workers to do more with less.”
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