Coronavirus Ushered in the Work-From-Home era, and It’s Here to Stay, but who would have thought it would take a pandemic to finally usher it in.
As the fear of COVID-19 grips one nation after another, and cases spread like wild-fire, more and more companies globally are adopting a work-from-home policy to ensure social distancing and curb the spreading of the virus.
In the UK, banks such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Barclays are moving trading facilities to workers homes, in the US, companies including Amazon, LinkedIn, Microsoft and Google have pushed for their workers to stop coming in the office, Twitter making work-from-home compulsory last week Wednesday.
Though this work-from-home push results from a crisis, more and more are believing it will stick around when normality slowly returns.Even before coronavirus panic hit, remote working was growing in popularity. Research conducted by the International Workforce Group (IWG) polled 150,000 people across 80 countries in 2019 and found that remote working was not only the “new normal” but was a deal breaker for many. 83% of those involved said that, faced with two similar job options, they would turn down the one that disallowed remote working.
Indeed, working from home has far greater benefits than just stopping the spread of the scariest virus the world has seen (which is a pretty great benefit). It also promotes far lower infrastructure costs, curbs negative impacts on the environment, and increases worker satisfaction and productivity- all giving both employer and employee a greater competitive advantage.
Gone is the eye-roll that comes after a three-hour meeting that could have been an email.
Since the start of the COVID 19’s push to remote work, stories have flooded in of the benefits that had been discovered, from a One City executive whose two-day meeting in Asia turned into a one-day video call and the employee whose days now include tossing in a load of laundry during a work break or combining her lunch hour with a yoga stretch to decrease anxiety. It is also pushing those technophobe colleagues to come face to face with their fear and embrace the age of remote working with conference calls and digital diaries.
For those companies that offer remote working tools, this is their time to shine. Slack, a business chat software, has stated that they are “fully prepared for the situation” and have given out free resources like consultations for companies adapting to remote work for the first time. Microsoft is offering its cloud “productivity suite” for free to small business for six months, Google followed this path with its own business subscription, while Zoom , a videoconferencing service, has extended its free tier by allowing conversations to go longer than 40 minutes.
There is no doubt that it is a worrisome and stressful time. Illness is spreading, and the world is still trying to grasp this huge change of lifestyle with social distancing and self-quarantine, our main weapons for combating mass illness and hospital inundation.
But when this cloud of uncertainty is finally lifted, be it in a week, a month, or a year, it is highly unlikely those that have gotten used to working from home and understand that it is not only possible, but beneficial, will be ready to return to the workplace.
And if they don’t, is it the worst thing? A new era has dawned, we have the technology, we have the desire, and we have the proven benefits, working remotely is here to stay.
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed the way we work, accelerating the shift to remote work and solidifying it as a lasting trend. Here are several key factors illustrating why the work-from-home era is likely here to stay:
1. Increased Flexibility
- Work-Life Balance: Many employees appreciate the flexibility that remote work offers, allowing for a better balance between personal and professional responsibilities.
- Variety of Work Environments: Remote work enables individuals to choose their work environment, whether it’s a home office, co-working space, or coffee shop.
2. Productivity Gains
- Focus and Efficiency: Some studies indicate that remote workers often report higher productivity levels due to fewer office distractions and the ability to create personalized workspaces.
- Reduced Commute Stress: Eliminating daily commutes saves time and reduces stress, allowing employees to start their workday more refreshed.
3. Cost Savings
- Reduced Overheads: Companies can save on real estate and office maintenance costs by adopting remote work models, which can be reallocated to other business areas.
- Employee Savings: Workers save on commuting costs, meals, and professional attire, which can improve their overall financial well-being.
4. Talent Acquisition and Retention
- Wider Talent Pool: Companies can hire from a global talent pool, allowing them to find the best candidates regardless of location. This can be especially advantageous in specialized fields.
- Employee Satisfaction: Flexible work arrangements can lead to higher job satisfaction and retention rates, as employees value the autonomy remote work provides.
5. Technological Advancements
- Collaboration Tools: The rise of tools like Zoom, Slack, and project management software has made remote collaboration seamless, enabling teams to work effectively from different locations.
- Cybersecurity Improvements: As remote work becomes more common, companies are investing in better cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information.
6. Changing Corporate Cultures
- Results-Oriented Work Environments: Organizations are increasingly focusing on outcomes rather than hours worked, shifting their metrics for success and promoting trust among employees.
- Hybrid Models: Many companies are adopting hybrid work models, allowing employees to split their time between the office and home, which can cater to diverse work preferences.
7. Long-Term Adaptations
- Policy Changes: Many businesses have revised their policies to support long-term remote work, offering flexible hours, remote work stipends, and mental health resources.
- Cultural Shifts: The normalization of remote work has led to a cultural shift where it’s no longer viewed as a temporary solution, but as a legitimate and effective way to work.
Conclusion
The work-from-home era, catalyzed by the pandemic, appears to be a permanent fixture in the modern workplace. As organizations and employees adapt to this new reality, the focus will likely shift toward optimizing remote work strategies, ensuring productivity, and maintaining team cohesion. This evolution not only changes the way work is done but also reshapes societal expectations around employment and professional life.
