The coronavirus pandemic brought along several changes in personal and professional lifestyles. Individuals and companies had to adjust to quarantine and isolation measures to contain the virus. The transition from working from offices to remote work or telecommuting is probably one of the significant changes. Pre-COVID, most companies resisted such work models, assuming it will harm company culture and affect productivity.

However, the virus proved such assertions wrong. Assuming the virus will have been contained next year, below are some changes to expect in your workplace.

Remote Work is Here to Stay

Following the outbreak of coronavirus, millions of employees found themselves working from their laptops with the help of digital technologies. Even as the infections decrease, most employers plan to increase the number of remote workers. However, the potential for increased remote work focuses on specific sectors, including insurance, information, finance, and technology.

These sectors show great intent of adopting more remote employees. For instance, the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company announced the closure of five physical offices in small cities with employees encouraged to work remotely. Unfortunately, approximately 60 percent of the U.S. population cannot work remotely as their jobs require physical presence.

Better Health and Hygiene Strategies

The pandemic drew attention to sanitation and hygiene practices in the workplace. Following this, more than 83 percent of employers agree that they will hire more employees to improve health and safety in their working environments. Other organizations intend to deploy robots to clean floors, windows and disinfect various workplace settings.

Workspaces will also be redesigned to adopt better hygiene measures. For instance, employees specializing in ventilation, custodians, caterers, and elevator operators will be on demand. Employers will also take up more employees skilled in AI, automation, and robotics, probably reflecting the increased use of automation technologies during the pandemic.

Employers will Hire More Temporary Workers and Contractors for Onsite Roles

As the economy recovers, more executives expect to hire contractors and temporary workers than they did before the pandemic. This is due to the uncertainties about the crisis and the momentum at which the economy will regain. Employers will opt to make the labor costs a variable factor of production, especially after surviving during the lockdown.

Bottom Line

COVID-19 separated the workforce and workplace while bringing home, work, and school together. Fortunately, technology has helped contain the virus by moving work away from the office to individual homes. As the curve flattens, employers are preparing to benefit the most from the changes. Post pandemic workplaces will involve great digitization, automation, and remote work.