Have you thought about what your workplace will look like when the pandemic is behind us? Will you keep remote work permanently? Or, do you want all your employees back at your office location? Perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle, thinking about how remote work flexibility could benefit your team?
You’re not the only one. As more and more people get vaccinated, there’s looming hope that we’ll resume some sort of normal in the coming months or year. With that, employers are beginning to think about what the post-pandemic workplace might look like for their business and employees.
If the last year has shown us anything, it’s that most people can effectively work from home and remain productive. We’ve also seen how employees appreciate employers that let them choose their working hours too. Parents having to juggle childcare demands and work deadlines, as well as creative night owls, have loved having more options. Even so, not all employers are convinced that remote work and flex hours could or should remain in effect after the pandemic subsides.
Below, we’re exploring the latest stats on the topic and highlighting some important considerations that all employers should factor into their decision.
Most employers and employees agree on flexibility in the post-pandemic world
According to a BenefitsCanada article, Mercer recently conducted a webinar where they shared some interesting opinions from US-based employees about remote work. One key takeaway is that most employees want to retain some level of flexibility, and luckily, most employers are on the same page. Here are more interesting findings:
Read the full article here: ‘Employers must weigh several factors while planning for post-pandemic future: webinar’.
Flexibility is critical to employee retention, especially for working moms
According to a recent ADP Canada and Leger survey, this pandemic has disproportionally impacted women’s careers, particularly those who are parents with young children. Keeping gender issues at the forefront of decisions about the future workplace is a must. Here are some other key findings:
Get all the survey highlights here: ‘Workplace Gender Gap Hits Home: ADP Canada Survey’
Finding the right balance between at-office and work-from-home will be key
According to a PwC survey this year, most companies are looking at implementing a hybrid model where people can rotate between in and out of the office work situations. This will likely have a significant impact on company culture and employee engagement, and alter how office spaces are being used. Here are some noteworthy stats:
Explore more from the survey here: It’s time to reimagine where and how work will get done
Will remote work be a permanent thing?
For most businesses, the answer is yes. Whether it’s gradual flexibility or full-scale remote teams, businesses will need to stay open to flexible working options to keep employees happy. That said, how those perks are offered and what conditions come with them will be different for every employer.
Here are a few recommendations to keep top of mind as you decide what your post-pandemic workplace will look like:
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