Are Offices Necessary Moving Forward?

Companies are contemplating the types of changes they will have to inevitably make in a post-pandemic world. The first moves include reconfiguring workspaces to enable physical distancing and strict cleanliness and sanitation practices, but some organizations may be considering whether an office is necessary at all.

Over the past few months, millions of workers have adjusted to a new type of work arrangement, and in some cases were more productive because of it. For many companies, rent is their second-largest expense and many are unable to make payments in the midst of lockdowns. So why not adopt remote and flexible arrangements in the long-term?

The main argument against a remote workforce is the inability to hold workers accountable for completed work. But if your company is organized and employees are satisfied, this shouldn’t be an issue. If your team is strong, the bigger problem becomes ensuring they do not overwork themselves and burnout. Overall, a physical office does not make or break a team’s effectiveness.

Additionally, some opponents of a distributed workforce may claim that workplace culture takes a hit when teams are not within the same facility. While efforts to support culture may be different for these arrangements, it is not impossible. The costs saved by getting rid of office space could be reallocated to boost culture and bring team members closer together. For instance, the money could go towards stipends for childcare services, team retreats to a new location, social events and more.