Written By Pamela Meister
Back to the (old) office? Or…maybe, not!
COVID19 vaccines are distributed daily and the scientific community is optimistic that herd immunity is in our future. This optimism is sparking conversations about getting back to normal, especially at work. For some, this is exciting while others are not ready to dust off their dress-pants, shine their high heels, and pack their briefcases to head to their cubicles.
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 your 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 have had over this past year may not represent the best-case scenario for you or your employer, even if it has proven beneficial. You have likely had pieced together a home workspace while sharing it with your family and roommates. If you parent 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 benefits of providing flexibility to your team. Several of which are worth noting.
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 will access to a 24/7 workforce given overlapping timezones 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 servers 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 your employer.
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 company's 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 company's who choose to reimagine work will have access to more than forty hours of productivity. They will have happier, more well-adjusted, and 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 a global pandemic about what matters most, resiliency, and so much more. Let’s not forget, instead, let’s take action for a better tomorrow.
Let's connect and reimagine work!
I help leaders make their desired impact and achieve maximum results regardless of where they are working. My clients range from public officials to nonprofit founders to business executives. Whether you are building your own business, starting a side hustle, seeking strategies to lead your team, searching for a way to make your day job more satisfying, or growing a grassroots movement, I can help you. Schedule a complimentary call today to start a conversation about how to achieve your goals and work from anywhere.
remote teams | hybrid | meet-with-pam | reimagine work
Pamela Meister