After all these months of adapting work organization and internal processes and investing in the development of effective infrastructure to support telecommuting, returning to the traditional pre-pandemic office pattern is highly improbable.
In many environments, telecommuting has proven to be beneficial in several regards, for both employers and employees. This new trend, which favours a flexible work environment, promotes efficiency gains and improves productivity if the employees are well supported and supervised.
In terms of human resources management, the shift to a hybrid work mode puts the notion of trust at the forefront. Giving employees the opportunity to choose their own work schedules and locations and operate independently implies mutual respect and recognition of the skills and strengths of each team member. With the right technological tools, employees, employers, and building managers can easily maintain an efficient and productive communication network. Technology provides a sense of proximity despite the distance and has an undeniable advantage in collecting valuable data that can be used to optimize daily operations or define future business plans.
The transformation of work habits towards a hybrid model has a direct impact on space utilization and some companies are currently reducing the number of fixed workstations assigned to a single person. Rather than shedding high-priced square footage in the hopes of saving money, large office tower tenants should first rearrange their space to give it new purposes and make it as profitable as possible. But above all, they should consider re-evaluating their regular cleaning requirements and, if possible, renegotiating their janitorial contracts.
To make the right decisions about how much office space to convert and how to properly accommodate employees, it is essential to have a good understanding of employees’ work habits, to consult with them to determine their most important needs and to rely on factual data, such as the building’s occupancy rate.
A flexible workplace inevitably increases the mobility of the workforce and changes the role of the office and the perception of employees. Made up of large customizable spaces that reflect the company’s identity, it is easy to imagine that at the end of this redefinition of work habits, the office will become the preferred place for occasional gatherings, team-building activities, or celebrations among colleagues. Visits to the office take on a whole new meaning and will become much more like a social activity.
From now on, companies will distinguish themselves by the enhanced employee experience they are able to offer to their employees who take the time and effort to travel to the office. Human resources managers face a major challenge in retaining employees. They must compete creatively to stand out and technology and artificial intelligence are certainly today’s best allies to build a steady, sustainable yet flexible work environment that will satisfy the most demanding employees!
Mélanie Marier is a consultant and auditor at ValkarTech, a Canadian consulting firm that guides, supports, and advises its clients on ways to optimize the operational performance of their organizations in terms of building hygiene and sanitation. For more information on its professional guidance and innovative IT solutions, please email doliveira@buildinghm.com, visit https://en.valkartech.com/ or https://en.hblogin.ca/.
