The future of work has long been discussed as the place where professionals had full flexibility and access to state-of-the-art workspaces.
However, the reality is somewhat grimmer than this hope. Due to the ongoing pandemic, remote working became reality at a time when schools have closed and children are homeschooling.
In short, the future of work is here, but it’s not as glossy as once predicted. Now, due to resurgence in Covid-19 cases, any sense of stability seems out of reach.
To get more in-depth insight into how workers are reacting to this delayed return to the workplace, The Female Quotient hosted an event called The Great Returnship: Creating the New Workplace.
“Covid exposed deep systemic issues that were never addressed before. We need flexibility. Bureau of Labor statistics have shown ‘quits’ are at a record high,” said Joanne Lipman, a lecturer at Yale and former editor-in-chief at USA Today. “People don’t only want to leave their jobs, they’re looking at switching occupations altogether. There is deep unhappiness with how the office is structured.”
Because of this unhappiness, there has been an increased labor shortage as workers advocate for their needs in the workspace. This means more than free lunches and happy hours — employees desire fulfilling work, upskilling and reskilling opportunities, and a work-life balance.
