Experts estimate that last year alone, the demand for office space decreased by almost 215 million m2, and these data only concern Europe and North America. Gallup research shows that in the United States alone, nearly two-thirds (62%) of office workers are now working remotely due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, according to PwC, employers declare that 44% of employees were more productive at home.
There is no doubt that we are dealing with a new reality in office work. Experts in the study “Reshaping modern workplaces to face the new normal” tell about what the new work models will look like, distinguishing three basic issues that we will have to deal with in the near future. The Hand Book shows not only the potential work scenarios of the future, but also measures the current requirements that both employees and employers face.
Safe return to work
The process of returning to offices has already begun. According to analysts from the Gallup institute and PwC, 1 in 3 employees want to return to the office due to technical problems, poor connection or simply lack of adequate space at home to work in. It is estimated that the gradual return to offices will last around 2025. Systemic, rather than ad hoc solutions, ensuring the safety of employees are becoming key in this process. Employers are slowly starting to think about how to create a conference room that allows for contactless operation of equipment. – Imagine a situation in which an employee enters a conference room and the entire audiovisual environment – a projector with a screen, an amplifier or even window blinds – automatically switches to the presentation mode. This reduces the need for remote controls and additional controllers. The entire control of the devices takes place automatically, with the support of a mobile device, e.g. a meeting organizer – says Adam Kaczmarek Product Manager at Veracomp. This is just one aspect that visually shows the need to adapt the office space to new expectations and requirements related to security. However, despite adapting to the new conditions, not everyone will want to return to offices full-time. This is where the hybrid work model can help.
Hybrid work
Cushman & Wakefield estimates that the percentage of employees working in the hybrid system may increase from 34% in 2020 to at least 50% by the end of 2025. The perspective of the next four years is the time to implement solutions that will be able to meet these expectations. – Hybrid work means greater employee efficiency and access to a wider number of experts who cannot always work full-time in the employer’s office. It is also a great opportunity to work for people who play caring roles and therefore could not be professionally active. It is worth noting, however, that without adequate support it will be difficult to control, for example, such seemingly mundane things as the allocation of Hot-Desks or booking conference rooms. Coordination of these tasks can be difficult, so it is worth thinking about digital tools supporting us in the organization of office work – says Jacek Ratajczak from Zonifero. Even so, some employees may not want to go back to work in the office at all. The pandemic has changed the approach of employers in this respect and more and more of them allow for completely remote work. Can such a model be effective?
Work from anywhere
Before the pandemic, about 5% of employees used permanent remote work, but it is estimated that after the pandemic every tenth employee will work completely remotely. – An important part of the new way of working are digital technologies that support people in what they are the best: socialization, creativity, reasoning, creativity and emotional intelligence. Technology connects us in space and time, taking care of repetitive and routine activities intelligently and safely storing huge amounts of information. Actually, by creating a human-machine partnership relationship, we are heading towards the future of human-centered work – says Barbara Michalska, Modern Workplace Business Group Director at Microsoft. It is the use of technology that gives us the freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
Each of the issues described is only a part of the scenarios that the experts of the study “Reshaping modern workplaces to face the new normal” talk about. One thing is for sure, the last time is a huge change in the approach to office work. – The world has experienced many crises, but humans are animal herds that want to function in a community. Soon, we will most likely enjoy life again. What will be left behind by the pandemic is technology that provides us with greater safety and comfort at work – sums up Jakub Poznański – COBU Design Founder.
