The pandemic shook the corporate system from the core as it forced workers to stay at home. It took some time for them to adjust to the new norm and with time, things got better. But not all industries have managed to cope. Moreover, offices are not only for work, but they also cater to workers’ overall growth.
For sectors like IT and Marketing, there are interesting options in place. For instance, there are effective team-building activities that make online working fun. No doubt, these sectors have had problems, but they still managed to keep their head up. And now, people have adapted to the norm and nobody wants to return to offices. This puts a big question mark on the office culture that every professional was a part of.
Let’s analyze what’s the future of ‘the office culture’ in the post-pandemic world.
Why people are choosing to work from home? – Benefits of Remote working
People generally ditch an older method whenever there’s a shiny new alternative. The same is happening with the office culture. The benefits of remote working are immense for both employers and employees. There are no boundaries to work. Companies can hire talented workers from all over the world. One only needs the expertise and then he can work with dream companies while sitting at home.
It saves up on rent, transportation, moving, and many more formalities. According to a Mckinsey survey, 20-25%of the workforce could work from home for 3-5 days a week. This is the case with advanced economies. Many companies in the US and UK have begun acting on it as they plan to reduce office space by 30%. This will mutate the work culture as we know it.
What can never go remote?
The data about disruptive work culture stands true for those working on computers. But the world doesn’t run like that. There are actual people who work on the frontline and get work done. These include on-site workers who interact with people in banks or hospitals.
The travel and hospitality sector also can’t operate on a remote basis. In fact, they’re the most affected by the pandemic. Even in bigger companies, critical business decisions and negotiations happen in offices.
Automation of some jobs
The most disruptive change in the work culture is the introduction of automation. This totally changes the game for many sectors such as airlines. In airports, remote sensors, swift fiber networks, and HD cameras will replace manned air towers. Even in the food sector, machines are proving to be marvelous with basic tasks.
They ensure sanitation, reduce the chance of human error, and increase efficient delivery. This automation will replace humans in various jobs. Mall owners are also investing in system integration to cut down on manual labor. Access control and smart rooms systems are in place to do that. This ensures flawless user experience and energy efficiency.
It’s difficult to estimate the level of automation in workplaces as there are many factors that come into play. Like, small businesses, retail stores, and grocery stores may not be able to afford them. Also, machines can’t perform tasks that require dealing and communicating with customers.
Toxic work culture in Offices
One of the reasons for the decline in the liking of office culture is the toxicity that’s prevalent. Workers have been complaining about them for ages. In the US itself, an average employee earns $11.22/ hour. This further adds to the income gap. It’s natural that people are unhappy in their jobs.
Especially in the corporate sector, the treatment of those at the bottom is very problematic. Seniors lather them with many tasks and pay very little. It also creates issues in their daily lifestyle as it messes up the quality of food intake and reduces sleep duration. The competition amongst peers in offices also results in high-stress levels of employees.
Paying per hour makes no sense, especially in the creative field as it depends on the skill and expertise. If someone can finish a task fast enough to leave early, it should be permitted. Employees work hard to polish their skills that get good results in lesser time. There’s no point in paying them on an hourly basis.
What does the future hold?
The pandemic has broken a great misconception that all employees must work under one roof. This has sparked an active discussion about making ‘work from home’ permanent. It’s obvious that not all employees will be able to do that. Moreover, in some sectors, it’s not even an option.
But it’s safe to say that IT and marketing industries will be implementing this practice. It’s not just about workers anymore. The companies saw a sheer deduction in their expenses since working from home became a norm. Although the office culture can never go extinct, work from home will become the new normal.
