All across the globe, businesses have shut their doors and offices have been emptied thanks to the COVID 19 pandemic. Millions of workers have been forced to ditch their usual routines and work from home for the foreseeable future. As things begin to return to some form of ordinary, it is clear that the world won’t be rushing back to its pre-COVID 19 state any time soon.
With fears of the worst global recession we’ve ever seen, and thousands of lives lost, the current crisis has had a profound impact on everything from the economy to our mental health.
Moving forward, we know the world will operate very differently, with social distancing and face coverings becoming the new norm. One area that has already changed dramatically and is expected to change forever is the world of work. There are many areas of work and business that will likely never return to how they were before, and in this post, we are looking at how COVID 19 will change the future of work style.
Rise In Remote Working
More and more organisations will be encouraging employees to work remotely on a more permanent basis after the pandemic. Many companies that had never considered how remote working could benefit their teams have been forced to adopt these measures during the lockdown. They are now seeing an increase in productivity levels and employee satisfaction and exploring how technologies can help them to operate effectively.
Employees are also feeling the benefits of being required to work from home and stay away from the office, including eliminating commute times and workplace distractions. The main focus for many companies in the future will be how to shift more aspects of their workload to remote employees while maintaining company culture and interaction.
Employee Monitoring
As more employees are working remotely, many businesses will be increasing their employee monitoring. This is so they can track and measure productivity levels, even outside of an office environment. Employers might take measures such as tracking as keystrokes on a computer, monitoring emails and virtual clocking in and out.
Some companies might choose to monitor productivity levels in this way, while others strive to understand employee experience better. New best practices, technologies and guidelines will likely be developed to ensure that monitoring remote workers is done effectively and safely.
Changes To Offices
For some companies, offices won’t disappear completely, and many employees will still be required to work onsite. However, how these offices look and operate will be very different from what we were used to pre-COVID 19. Open floor plan offices may have to be replaced with cubicles and partitions to ensure social distancing, and fewer workers will be able to fit in offices than could before.
On top of this, communal areas such as kitchens, break rooms, and canteens may no longer be possible. Cleaning and sanitisation will have to be stepped up and, in some cases, PPE might be introduced. Whether these changes will be temporary or permanent isn’t yet known, and some employers may continue with these new measures even after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Less Meeting And More Video Calls
During the COVID 19 pandemic, more people than ever have been utilising video conferencing software such as Zoom and Skype. They have been used to keep teams in communication while being out of office, and also to hold meetings that previously would have taken place in a conference room.
It is expected that many businesses will continue this trend even after the pandemic. This is now that the full potential of this software is understood.
Frequent business travel is likely to decrease significantly, and instead of travelling to conferences and meetings, online calls will be used instead. It isn’t expected that business travel will stop completely, but it will be reduced dramatically. Focusing on video conferences not only protects staff and clients but is cheaper and more convenient.
Employee Happiness Is Vital
COVID 19 has forced thousands of people to pause their busy lives and given time to really reflect on their situation. Many workers have lost their jobs already, and many others will be critically considering their roles and where they work.
With an increase in remote working, the lines between work life and personal life begin to blur, and if employees aren’t happy in their role, it will have a severe impact on all aspects of their life. Many people are likely to use this unprecedented time as a wakeup call to find a job they find truly meaningful and satisfying.
Increase In Online Training
Training and upskilling in the workplace have been a focus for many employers for a long time. With more remote working and less time in the office, more people will be opting for online and virtual training courses. With high technology systems in place, trainees can learn from anywhere with an internet connection alongside their work commitments.
Employees are likely to have more free time with less commuting and will be looking to spend this time on something valuable, such as training. Many businesses will also be focusing on further training for their staff to help boost their productivity and enhance their skills.
Here at TSG Training, we have created a vast range of online and virtual training courses that can be completed from anywhere. Our courses cover everything from project management to software testing, so no matter your job role or industry, there is a course for you.
Our
Introduction to Programming course is perfect for those thinking about a career change to the world of programming.
Business Analysis Foundation E-Learning course is a popular choice for employers who want a class to improve their team’s business analysis skills and processes.
For those who are unsure of which course to choose, or just looking for some more information on a particular subject, our free webinars are available on our website. Our
Virtual Training Delivery Demo also explains how our courses are taught and how student interaction works online. So why not have a look and see how we can help you to advance your career.
