Companies have spent the majority of 2020 fine-tuning their operational strategies in order to keep employees safe and healthy.

During Corenet Global’s Virtual Summit this week, workplace analysts discussed how companies are adapting to the ongoing pandemic and what this could mean for the future of the office.

One of the most notable emerging trends from major companies has been the adoption of a permanent hybrid work model, which allows employees to work from home and in the office for part of the week.

“Physical, mental and emotional well-being is our top priority,” said Michael Ford, vice president & partner of worldwide real estate, construction, facilities and security at Microsoft.

Now, around 10% to 12% of Microsoft’s employees are working remotely. However, company-wide surveys found that the majority of employees still want to be in the office for at least three days of the work week.

The company has also been putting an emphasis on the employee experience by collecting data from these surveys to plan their next move. Doing so allows Microsoft employees to have a say in how and when they work.

“Our central strategy is about data and agility,” said Ford. “We want to take real time data and let science drive adjustments to our real estate strategy.”

In the meantime, companies who are bringing employees back into the workplace should continue implementing physical distancing, face masks and sanitation to decrease the potential spread of the virus.