Although some have claimed that the office is dead, we can anticipate that physical workspaces will still play a crucial role in business operations, but in a different way. Now that companies have realized both the perks and downfalls of remote working, leaders will likely opt for a hybrid arrangement to reap the benefits of both.
One of the biggest losses for the workplace in the last several months has been the lack of in-person meetings. While millions of workers are equipped with the video conferencing tools needed during this time, it is hard to replicate a face-to-face meeting.
“Online video conferences are no substitute for the creativity that happens when a group of smart people get together in person,” wrote Alex Conant and Terry Sullivan of public relations consulting firm Firehouse Strategies. “Trust between colleagues can easily break down outside the office.”
While in-person attendance may be the ideal solution for companies themselves, it is essential for business leaders to consider the needs of employees. Over the past few years, research has proven time and time again that valuing the employee experience is key to a healthy, efficient work environment. So if an employee gets more work done at home than in the office and are happier this way, businesses should offer them the choice to continue doing so.
However, there are still workers who have mixed feelings about remote working who may actually want to work outside of their homes, yet avoid the stress of daily commutes. For them, opting for a local coworking space closer to their home may be the ideal solution.
