Post COVID-19, the whole universe is forced to adopt entirely new ways of working, thus organizations have resorted to reimagining work. Organizations across the globe need to create a more adaptable working environment in order to ensure their employees feel valued, safe, and secure during this uncertainty. Due to COVID-19, the future of work has been challenged with assumptions about the work being carried out, how it is done and with whom it is done. The future of work has seen a dramatic and sudden change across leaders, workers as well as consumers in general. Presently, organizations all over the world are striving to create and adopt new ways of the work environment to assure that their employees are guided by their business leaders while at the same time striving to adopt a new normal.
In response to the unimaginable and mass disruption, a new labor paradigm is the need of the hour in order to reestablish the employee value thereby building a flexible workforce. Prior to the pandemic, the conventional office culture was an integral part of every employee, a go-to place for growth, productivity and winning the talent war too. Having an ultra-modern and state of the art office premises in major urban centers across the globe was where companies would compete intensely with their arch-rivals. It was also seen as a way to promote collaboration. With the present crisis, a large percentage of employees have been working from home as compared to a couple of years ago. Nonetheless, this pandemic has sprung a lot of surprises with almost everyone adjusting quickly and effectively to every challenge that has crossed their path. The not so tech-savvy workers have perfected the art of video-conferencing and other forms of digital collaboration and for some, the results are far better than imagined.
You might also be interested to read: Reimagining Workplace Post COVID-19
Research from Mckinsey has revealed a mixed bag of reactions from the working class fraternity, indicating that a majority of people, when questioned, reported that they enjoyed working from home. Others felt they were more productive than usual when working from home, while a few of them felt they were fine and productive equally. One reason that comes to mind is that almost everyone commuting long distances to reach their workplace have heaved a sigh of relief. The cut down in travel has made employees more productive. Precious hours spent traveling are being used in lucrative ways. At the same time employees are enjoying a much balanced personal and professional life. Remote working models have made the organization heads and the HR team, in particular, reimagine human capital, without having to face locational constraints and simultaneously adopting ways to boost productivity without incurring the additional office space costs. Despite this data, major corporations still rely on age-old methods of work in a dedicated workplace.
With the future of work hanging in tethers, it is time to reimagine the workplace. Every organization will need to come up with a plan based on their talent requirements, important roles within the organization and the location of the workplace among many other criterias. Leaders are facing challenges while deciding the way forward for the company.
Following points highlight each of the methods that can help employers in reimagining work.
Remodel the work method
By switching to remote working during the lockdown, organizations continued to carry out their work processes. Virtual meetings and remote working have had employees continue to maintain the ability to focus on their tasks and also be productive. Video and collaboration technology has played a vital role in team productivity reaching a new height. Prior to the onslaught of COVID-19, where organizations came together and racked their heads and generated ideas with each others help, the virus has put a stop to this bringing a new process of digital channels and incorporating ideas from across the organization, thus executing ideas followed by a multi hour period of debate on an open video conference.
Besides forging workplace changes, organizations should also emphasize corporate culture reflecting on their values, by interactions, practices and rituals that promote that kind of culture. Companies that focus on developing new talent and inculcating mentorship moments can continue to do so in this digital world. In order to balance the best of both in-person and remote working, reimagining work and reconstructing both processes and cultural practices shall serve as a foundation of an enhanced operating model.
Taking the work to the workforce
Presently, some skilled workers are hesitant to relocate to their employer’s locations than they did in the past. Organizations are yet in the process of reconstructing and reclassifying work that can be done remotely or carried out in person. Remote working can bring the work to the workforce without having them commute to the organization and risking their safety as well as others. Collaboration on online portals for team meetings and a dedicated work chatroom can suffice for both the organization and the employees to communicate effectively. This will also help in reducing cost significantly across all platforms.
Create a design that is organization friendly
A typical office structure needs to be reformed and made favorable to suit the needs of employees in the post-COVID-19 world. Organizations need to come up with plans that involve virtual collaboration rather than physical ones. Technology needs to take center stage with the help of video-conferencing and in-person and virtual collaboration boards such as virtual whiteboards. Also keeping in mind the health of the employees that do come to office, proper cleaning and sanitation of the workplace, sufficient airflow and maintaining social distancing are some of the factors that need to be considered.
Now is the best time to start afresh while coordinating the safety and productivity of employees as they return back to work so as to make the workplace a better environment for them. Reimagining work is the best possible outcome for organizations to boost their employees productivity and also achieve their business goals.
References:
- “Reimagining work in the era of COVID-19:” by Hamilton Place Strategies on June 16, 2020
- “Workplace Reimagined: COVID-19 to Reshape the Modern Office Experience” by Peter Wilk on May 22, 2020
- “Reimagining the office and work life after COVID-19” by McKinsey and Company on June 8, 2020
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