3 Ways COVID-19 Will Change the Workplace Forever

2020 was a defining year for workplaces globally. At a time when production was halted and countless workplaces around the world were forced to put down tools and head home for an indefinite period, a pronounced shift happened in the way that we approached work globally. With a record low number of COVID-19 cases now being recorded in a number of countries in the southern hemisphere, many countries are now looking at a full-scale return to work over the coming months.

But with so much changing over the last twelve months, just how much are things going to change as we head back to work in 2021. Well, if the latest independent study from Cambridge is anything to go by, the changes will be stark and noticeable across almost every industry. A startling 76% of respondents working in office environments believe that work from home should now be a full time option for all employees. So, with changing expectations and a new global environment, what can employers do to motivate workers to get out of their sweatpants and back into the office? We’ve put together a list of three useful tips for employers looking to encourage workers to return to the office in the first half of 2021.

Personal Sanitisation Must Be Provided

If 2020 taught us one thing, it’s that personal sanitisation and hygiene standards have changed beyond recognition. In 2021, employers must provide workers with hand sanitiser, soap, personal hygiene products, and a clean and safe space to work in. It is a non-negotiable for all workers to be greeted with a clean and safe space upon their return to work. The skyrocketing sales of Hand Sanitiser in Perth, an environment where so many are returning to work full time, is a reflection of just how seriously employers are taking their responsibility.

Create A Comfortable Working Environment

Gone are the days when employees could be expected to slave away at their desks for hours on end. Workers are more mobile than ever, and the office space that you create must reflect those changes. To make the return to work as comfortable and seamless as possible, employers need to ensure that they are providing a comforting and inviting place for workers to spend 40+ hours each week.

Spaces that Foster Creativity

Small touches such as comfortable furniture, open spaces to relax and recreational spaces go a long way to creating spaces that employees want to spend time. A 2020 study found that more than 89% of office workers felt more comfortable and productive working from home than they do from the office. As such, employers need to take the hint and provide spaces that foster comfort, creativity, and productivity for all employees.

Final Thoughts

2021 is set to be a year of change. Employers have a greater responsibility than ever to provide spaces that are safe, comfortable and productive for their employees.

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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