Will your employer require you to return to the office in person? Whether you're sure that resuming your commute is in your future and you will return to your "old normal," or your answer is "sometimes," or you’re shrugging your shoulders and thinking, "That's a good question..." it's time to reflect on what you want moving forward.
Ask yourself:
Do you want to return to work in person, and if so, how frequently?
What do you prefer about working from home?
How do you (and your employer) benefit by granting you a flexible work arrangement?
What have you not been able to accomplish over this past year working remotely?
Remote Work During the Pandemic
It's essential to recognize that the remote work experience you’ve had over this past year may not represent the best-case scenario for you or your employer, even if it has proven beneficial. You likely pieced together a home workspace while sharing it with your family or roommates. If you’re a parent with school-aged children who have required a lot of support and attention with virtual learning, that's likely to have added stress to your schedule. Add to that working within make-shift systems that your employer put together on the fly to keep business running without extensive thought and strategy, and you may question if returning to the office is best for you.
Remote Work in the Future
Consider the possibility that you can work remotely with a dedicated and well-equipped office space. Your children (if you have them) will attend school in-person, while you can focus without interruption on your work. Entertain the notion that your employer will implement well-thought-out systems that promote best practices for dispersed teams allowing everyone, or at least those who desire, the flexibility to work from anywhere with ease.
With so many benefits for both employers and their teams for flexible working, it's wise to reimagine work while considering if, when, and how workplaces will operate as public health and safety concerns provide more options for people to interact in person.
The Positives
If you're an employer who is debating what comes next, begin by focusing on the notable benefits of providing flexibility to your team:
Access to the best talent. Eliminating geographic restrictions expands your candidate pool to an international slate of professionals. A globally diverse team also provides you with access to a 24/7 workforce, given overlapping time zones, to accomplish even more than before.
Reduced expenses for real estate, utilities, travel, and meals can save a tremendous amount of money.
Updating your systems will boost your company's overall efficiency and effectiveness. Taking a close look at your operations and why systems are set up a specific way allows you the chance to make adjustments to modernize your workflows and eliminate whatever no longer serves your mission.
Boost your team's productivity by allowing them to focus on what they do best while working when and where they are most effective.
Develop a workplace culture that values quality of life and recognizes that individuals work differently. Allowing people the autonomy to contribute when and where they choose rather than at a specific location at a fixed time will show your team that they are valued, and in turn, they will deliver better results.
Employee Advocacy Tips
What are your options when your employer doesn't recognize these (and the many other) benefits of remote work and you want to continue to work remotely? Here are several strategies to consider:
Propose an alternative arrangement. If your company is returning in person fully, ask for a hybrid or 100% remote schedule. Be prepared to explain how this benefits not only you, but your employer as well.
Get a new job that offers remote work. You don't have to stay where you are if the role or physical presence requirement no longer serves you. Many companies recognize the benefits that remote work offers both employers and their employees, and that's why you will likely find many more options available for your consideration.
Start your own business by leveraging your skills and experience.
The Future
Before the pandemic, the majority of professional companies ascribed to a forty-hour (plus) work week. Employees commuted to and from the office. Job listings featured locations, and recruiters offered bonuses to attract top talent to relocate. Moving forward, the companies which choose to reimagine work will have access to more than forty hours of productivity. They will have happier, better adjusted, and more focused team members. They will access talent from around the world. The possibilities are exciting, and for the leaders who choose to innovate and reimagine work, the rewards will be plentiful. We have the opportunity now to realign our lifestyles with our professional and personal priorities. We’ve learned lessons throughout the global pandemic about resiliency, what matters most, and so much more. Let’s not forget those lessons. Instead, let’s take action for a better tomorrow.
Let's connect and reimagine work!
What if you could find joy and prosperity by doing more of what you love and less of what you don’t, from anywhere in the world? With The Zone Community, you can! We help each other and celebrate together. We provide added accountability so you can stay motivated to make the most of your time, learn new skills, and accomplish your goals. With many unique skill sets, The Zone Community’s members share expertise, support each other, and develop enriching connections. Start your first month today!
Pamela Meister