In 2021, we can anticipate that some workers will return to the office for the first time in nearly a year after the pandemic forced millions to work from home.
However, analysis firm CCS Insights is predicting that over half of all office employees will continue to work remotely in 2022. Knowing this, companies have started strategizing how their workspace will look like in the future.
While many are anticipating a spike in remote working positions in the future, traditional offices will still be important to a company’s operations as some employees will want to come back into the workplace.
While some employees will work from home for at least part of the week, others will choose to come into the office. This means firms will need to evaluate their security infrastructure to ensure those who are working from home are not at risk of any cybersecurity attacks.
A report from Forrester has found that the number one priority when reopening office buildings will be creating a mentally and physically safe workspace.
This means reconfiguring the office layout to support distancing and sanitation protocols, as well as offering wellness programs that benefit workers who may be experiencing isolation or stress.
When rethinking how to outfit the physical workplace, businesses should consider investing into touchless and voice assistant technology that can make the office safer and more efficient.
“In particular, I expect to see more offices use smart technology that adjusts the office environment throughout the day to aid employee productivity and wellbeing,” said Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the British Council for Offices.