Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of individuals’ work schedule included commuting to the office and sitting in rush-hour traffic. Since the pandemic, the average American’s work life will never be the same. What began as policies to adjust to the uncertainty of the pandemic have now become the norm.
From virtual job training to working from home policies, individuals have grown accustomed to a flexible schedule. Companies are finally offering what employees have been requesting for so long. But are these changes here to stay?
The short answer is yes. Companies are realizing that employees can be just as productive working from home. Additionally, when given the option, employees will opt to work from home, even when the threat of COVID-19 is no longer. Remote work has shown to be beneficial to employees but also for the employer. Many companies have already negotiated less office spaces and lease contracts in an effort to reduce cost.
With all this information, what do the experts at ODMPSI forecast? The workplace of the future consists of a hybrid model. This will allow employees to work from home and only commute to the office 1-2 days.