The Covid-19 pandemic profoundly changed the way we work, with many employees and managers adjusting to remote working practically overnight.
The longer-term consequence is that we’ve changed our thinking about how work and learning can be delivered; this will shape a new working environment.
What is changing in the way we work?
Despite the fears, remote working didn’t reduce productivity in the workforce. In many instances it increased it, with time saved on the daily commute and distractions in the office. Workers also achieved a better work-life balance, the impact of which is also positive for productivity.
The pros and cons of flexible and working arrangements have been debated for some time, but the pandemic has fast forwarded this transition by enforcing change and for many, there’s now no need to return to how things used to be.
The big question is what the new working environment needs to look like and which IT systems and training that employers need to bring in to offer their workers more of what they want.
What do workers need from an office space?
Employers now need to consider what their employees want and need from a working environment that supports a more flexible and hybrid approach to working. This means understanding what work will be done in the office, how will it have done and designing an office space accordingly.
What isn’t available when working from home is a space in which people can come together to collaborate face to face, and the opportunity to socialise with colleagues and enjoy the cultural aspects of a shared office space.
People go to the office with the purpose of seeing and working with colleagues. To encourage this, offices need to adapt to provide spaces that encourage and enable collaboration.
As Alain Dehaze, of The Adecco Group, found in their research “previously, people spent 70% of their working hours carrying out work processes, and 30% of their time collaborating with colleagues. Now, this will be reversed, with people coming into the office to collaborate, work on projects, creativity, etc.”
The role of IT in supporting the new way of working
Just as IT has been vital in enabling a transition to WFH, it will play an equally important role in creating workspaces that facilitate collaboration and provide a seamless transition between home and the office.
IT can create flexibility, allowing workspaces to become multi-functional and its effective implementation can drive wellbeing by creating an easy-to-use environment.
In practical terms, this means the use of software that drives collaboration, such as hot desks to create flexible teams; multiple screens on desks to allow for communications and work; meeting rooms with big screens for conferencing.
Personalising the workspace
Employees have always personalised their workspace to make them feel comfortable and productive. Going forward, their “workspace” will effectively be the technology they use day to day, wherever they are. Digital technology has the power to allow employees to work more fluidly and stay connected through a range of devices that can leverage many tools, so people can stay securely connected anywhere and at any time, with access to corporate networks when needed.
Investing in the new workspace
These changes may lead to increased costs initially, such as investing in office redesigns and increased digital security so that it remains just as robust with a workforce that’s not always protected by the office firewall. Staff will also need training to use the new digital tools they need for work, but these are investments that can bring about real, productive change.
To attract and retain the best staff it has always been the case that employers need to keep pace with changing employee needs and an office space supported by an IT infrastructure that can create an inclusive environment that enable collaboration in a variety of ways, allowing a hybrid and flexible approach to working, will be an important asset for any business looking to the future.
IT training support
If you would like to explore how our team can help your business to get the most from your IT equipment and software, including Sharepoint, through group training, one-to-one coaching and consulting services, then contact 365 Training Consultants today.
