Work Reimagined. What’s Possible?
By Marie Bankuti, PCC, CPCC, PMP
Our work world has been turned upside down and inside out. So much has changed and continues to change almost daily. Could any of us have imagined the depth and breadth of the impact a virus could have on corporate America only six months ago? It is safe to say no.
Eventually, when the pandemic is behind us, we will find a new rhythm and the economy will begin to grow again. Organizations will be less tentative about future business and increase their hiring efforts. Leaders will be faced with choosing whether to continue ongoing remote work, and employees working from home and will need to decide if they want to go back to the office.
Let’s imagine, for a moment, what might be on the other side of the pandemic when the new normal settles in, and let’s consider some of the contributing factors as employers make decisions about long-term remote work.
Cost Savings
Before the beginning of 2020, many corporations had, at least, partially implemented remote work practices and policies. Once the stay-at-home orders were widely in place, every role that did not require in-office effort shifted to being performed remotely. Even those companies that were skeptical about a remote workforce found that it was working better than expected.
As a result, employers now realize how they could save money on real estate costs, office furniture, equipment, utilities, related insurance premiums, etc. They are saving on corporate travel expenses and avoiding the lost opportunity costs due to commuter traffic delays and employee sick time.
Employees are saving as well — on gas, food purchases, professional clothing, and more. Other costs, such as automobile insurance, could prove to add additional savings if remote work were permanent.
Health and Well-being
Because we spend less time commuting, we have more time for other things. Granted, some of us are just replacing commute time with more Zoom meetings; however, there is an opportunity here. What if we leverage our commute time for a walk, or to listen to a podcast? What if we spend more time with family, preparing home-cooked meals, working out, delving into hobbies, being still? If there is an upward shift in well-being, many employers will see an increasingly productive and positive workforce, as individuals and teams relax into their work routines.
We know that working at home has, indeed, been less than ideal for some who have infants, children needing assistance with remote learning, or limited space for setting up a home office. However, collectively, we have seen that it can be done. Imagine how much easier and more efficient it could be when children are back in school and childcare.
Our Environment
In recent pre-pandemic years, green and socially conscious companies started to become a selection factor for many employees when deciding whether to join an organization. Increasingly, this has been a consideration for how customers choose to spend their money as well.
The changes implemented to respond to the pandemic have had an immensely positive impact on the environment. Many have been surprised by how quickly the earth can begin to repair itself. Organizations’ environmental focus is not going unnoticed and may be another important factor for employees when deciding where they want to work, so as not to lose the progress we’ve made.
More Options
Companies that choose to adopt a remote workforce on an ongoing basis would be opening themselves up to new possibilities. Their hiring would no longer be limited to local candidates. The expanded candidate pool could assist in finding just the right fit, nationally or even internationally, allowing for more diversity.
Remote hiring can work in the candidate’s favor too. When location and commute no longer present limitations, the ideal role 2000 miles away becomes a possibility without needing to relocate.
Now is the time to reimagine possibilities.
- What if some people never went back to the office, at least not in the same way?
- What new opportunities exist to make things better or to offer new services to customers?
- How can we leverage untapped talent in organizations?
- In what ways can we waste less and preserve our resources?
For employers and individuals, this is an excellent time to be considering the possibilities – the positive change that can come from a difficult situation.
ClearRock has adapted many of our one-on-one coaching and consulting services, as well our group workshops and programs to the virtual environment. Learn more about how we can help your organization survive and thrive.
