Despite repeated warnings from health officials about easing restrictions too soon, many states have proceeded with directives to relax social distancing restrictions. The ambiguity of restrictions across the country is resulting in ambiguity in the reopening of workplaces. This novel issue may cause mass confusion which can only be solved by near-perfect top-down communications.
Different companies take different approaches
Industries and companies have been reopening in phases. Some have initiated a staggered re-opening technique. Others are operating on innovative distributed team models such as split teams, hybrid teams or fully remote teams.
Companies like Amazon, Google and Twitter have extended their work from home policies, while organizations like Dow, Disney World, and Credit Suisse are planning a phased return. Goldman Sachs has opted for a hybrid business model while J P Morgan Chase are operating on a 50% in-person policy at the moment.
Businesses in frontline industries like health care, retail, restaurants and manufacturing have a different challenge on their hands. For one, remote working is not an option for most of their workers. However, operating at full capacity might have to be deferred for some more time.
Since businesses are taking different approaches to reopening, most workers, including frontline and deskless workers might be furloughed or asked to stay home for a little longer.
Return to Work – A Work in Progress
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses tried to limit staff from working in locations devoid of a corporate office.
However, during these bizarre times of upheaval due to a sudden burst of the coronavirus outbreak, companies are in situations where workers are stranded in different towns, cities and countries. Desked workers embrace telecommuting while frontline and deskless workers might be furloughed or on a break due to the circumstances.
As businesses in major commuter-based cities begin to test mixed returns to office, it has become a nightmare to manage where anyone is located at any given time. With some schools closed for in-person education, even deskless employees can sometimes be stuck at home. Having the proper technology and guidelines in place can help organizations reach people wherever they are, at any time.
Without adequate digital tools in place, employers are facing a lot of difficulties in locating workers in distributed locations. Full-time employees are easier to trace, while part time or contract workers are proving more elusive.
Irrespective of all the safety measures being taken by employers, many workers are still sceptical to step out of the safety of their homes. Many workers are choosing remote work or deferring work to a ‘safer’ date.
Balancing In-Person and Remote Culture
Everything is in a flux right now. The pandemic has set the wheels of digital transformation in motion. Nothing will appear as it was, and future trajectories will be markedly different from everything we’ve seen and experienced so far. Therefore, the past cannot be projected to predict future timelines and events.
Even the state of the workplace is undergoing a metamorphosis. Businesses and employees alike have realized the value of remote working through first-hand experience during the lockdown.
In a post-COVID world, a mix of co-located work with remote work might be more ideal. Balancing remote working with in-person work is crucial. This category also known as the hybrid worker, is a mix between a remote worker and a co-located worker. Hybrid workers spend a fraction of their time working from an office and the remaining time working from any other preferred location.
Irrespective of the location of employees, creating a digital workplace is mandatory for all businesses going forward. With digital communication tools and video conferencing platforms, businesses can create a flexi-place scenario with ease.
