The New Normal for Workplaces Post-COVID-19
Research shows that 71% of executives are worried about productivity and continuity during the pandemic, partly fueled by a shift to remote working. The world is starting to transition back to a new form of normality, but this comes with additional rules and regulations in place in a bid to protect everyone and slow the spread of COVID-19. Of course, this will translate into almost every workplace too, resulting in people’s job descriptions altering to meet new demands and a shift to working from home on a more permanent basis as businesses adapt and attempt to stay afloat.
Research shows that 71% of executives are worried about productivity and continuity during the pandemic, partly fueled by a shift to remote working. The world is starting to transition back to a new form of normality, but this comes with additional rules and regulations in place in a bid to protect everyone and slow the spread of COVID-19. Of course, this will translate into almost every workplace too, resulting in people’s job descriptions altering to meet new demands and a shift to working from home on a more permanent basis as businesses adapt and attempt to stay afloat.
Social distancing and extra cleaning will continue
Social distancing and regularly cleaning surfaces have and will continue to play crucial roles in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in workplaces. Employees will be expected to regularly clean surfaces, their hands, and use PPE, as well as keep a safe distance from other people. How this is implemented will vary between industries and roles, such as hairdressers and beauty salon workers wearing PPE but not being able to maintain social distance, whilst office workers can more easily spread out and are less likely to need PPE.
Retail workers will already be familiar with long queues of people and having to manage the flow of them in stores, as well as wiping down shopping trolleys and baskets. If there’s an outbreak in a certain area or a known case has been into the workplace, it’s likely that professional cleaning services will be brought in to thoroughly disinfect it in the hope of reducing the spread and keeping everyone safe.
More people working from home
Many businesses have found ways for their employees to work from home. Obviously, this is one of the best ways to protect yourself and colleagues, so it’s very likely that a lot of people will continue to work from home at least some of the time. In fact, one recent study found that 53.6% of remote professionals anticipate their employers’ flexibility policies changing permanently.
One main reason for the rise of remote working is it helps offices, shops, and other workplaces to enforce social distancing easier. It also means that many businesses will be able to save money on office space as staff can rotate between working from home and in the workplace, essentially meaning that two employees can share a workspace without ever working together in person. Financially, this could result in businesses saving money that can result in pay rises, bonuses, and money invested in areas of the business that have thrived during the lockdown, such as home delivery and online services.
Home delivery and other online services
Millions of people have been largely or entirely dependent on online services to keep them going, from food to toiletries and other essentials and treats. Many businesses found ways to quickly adapt by offering home deliveries and similar services, so you may find that when you return to work that you’re role includes new things in order to meet demand and keep the business going. Not only will this help to bring in business whilst keeping customers out of the workplace, but it also means staff will be on the road more.
The majority of workplaces will inevitably alter how they do business, whether it’s spacing employees and customers out and having more people work from home to enable this, or offering new services and revolving around home deliveries.