The Coronavirus pandemic has radically altered the traditional workplace. From telecommuting to accommodate social distancing requirements to more flexible hours, companies have pivoted from their regular office practices in order to keep their employees safe and their businesses running. As the pandemic has been extended further and further, the chances of those changes reverting back to “normal” when the quarantine is over have dramatically decreased. The “new normal” is here to stay in the business world, and it means big changes from the way companies have run in years past. According to CPA Practice Advisor, the five things below will likely become standards in the workplace even after the crisis subsides.
Employees Working From Home
With the widespread rise of telecommuting due to social distancing requirements, companies have realized that employees are just as productive at home as they are in an office. Even if you hope to have staff return to your brick-and-mortar locations, it is likely that many of your employees will seek hybrid working with some level of flexibility when it comes to location.
Flexible Hours
Businesses have also had to be more flexible when it comes to employee schedules since lockdown started this Spring. Adaptable scheduling has worked well for many businesses and studies have shown that time blocking increases productivity. In addition, employees have reported a higher quality of life and satisfaction with how their workplaces have responded to the pandemic. As such, many professionals will expect to receive the same flexible scheduling when the COVID-19 crisis has passed.
Focus on Mental Health
The last nine months have also seen an increased focus on mental health in the workplace. Employers who continue to be proactive about staff’s mental wellbeing will bolster team satisfaction and maintain a more positive work atmosphere and company culture.
Investment in Digital Upskilling
If the pandemic has shown us anything, it is how important it is to provide digital upskilling to your team. As your staff has had to pivot their roles into the new remote workplace, they have likely needed to learn and master new technologies and systems. The good news for employers is that the benefit of the training you have given to your employees this year has the potential to benefit your company in the long run. Continue to focus on teaching new digital skills to increase the efficiency of your workplace and keep up with industry trends.
Mutual Trust Between Employers and Employees
Employees have had to place a large amount of trust in their companies to keep them safe and provide income in the midst of the virus and accompanying economic downturn. Likewise, with less supervision on staff members, employers have had to trust their teams to stay on task and complete their job responsibilities in a timely manner without cutting corners. Continuing to foster trust within your organization will help you to build a strong and resilient team that can withstand any future crises.
Embracing the “new normal” in your workplace has the potential to improve your relationship with your employees, positively affect your company culture, and increase productivity. Rather than seeing these changes as scary or disruptive, welcome them with open arms and usher in the next phase of your business’s life!
