There are no two ways about it, COVID-19 has changed the workplace forever and forced employers to rethink basic business practices. In 2021, we expect to see a radical shift in the way that employees interact in a traditional office setting and a reduction in the number of hours that are spent in the office.
In a year that was defined by zoom meetings and tracksuit pants, many employees have redefined what a good working environment looks like. Here are four keyways that COVID-19 has changed the way that offices and workplaces will operate globally in 2021 and beyond.
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More Comfortable Workspaces
The more from your bed or lounge into the office may seem like a difficult transition. But what about if your employer was now providing more comfortable, flexible working spaces. office furniture Hobart specialists EOF reported that there was a significant increase in the number of offices that were rethinking their layout and working arrangements as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Flexible Working Arrangements
A recent report by Social Life found that 17% of workplaces around the world will now operate from home permanently as a direct result of the COVID-19 impact. From this number, a further 22% of workplaces now provide flexible working arrangements. Employees are now expecting more flexible working arrangements and demanding some flexibility when it comes to time spent in the office vs. working from home.
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New Collaboration Spaces
Let’s face it, we were all starved of human contact in 2020. One of the biggest changes that we expect to see over the next year is a change to what collaborative working spaces look like. Many employees found that the WFH situation that defined 2020 took a big toll on their mental health as contact was reduced. So, in 2021, we expect to see workplaces providing collaborative spaces that promote a free exchange of ideas. This will look like more open plan office spaces, as well as dedicated meeting spaces that allow employees to meet and exchange ideas outside of a traditional office setting.
