The pandemic has forced companies to completely rethink their operational strategies, particularly in terms of the physical office.
Now, in order to prepare for potential future crises and accommodate the new needs of employees, the traditional office will take a backseat to a more hybrid model.
This allows employees to work from the office or at home, but of course, the office environment itself will require major changes.
For starters, with the workforce of the future being more distributed, business leaders should look to include smaller spoke offices outside of major cities.
This will be necessary as many workers either already live in suburban areas or have recently decided to relocate. Offering staff an office closer to home allows them to cut down on their commute time, as well as maintain connections with their colleagues.
Offices help boost collaborative experiences and innovation among employees, which can be hard to achieve when operating remotely.
However, incorporating offices will need more than just desks and a printer. Employees want a workspace that supports their health and wellness.
After months of being hyper aware of our basic health, employers will need to implement health and safety measures that can bring ease of mind to workers. This should include temperature checks, contract tracing, visual distancing guides, UV lights for disinfection, upgraded air filtration systems and more.