From the start of the pandemic, many changes have been implemented in workplaces all over the world. As the priorities of the world quickly changed, many businesses adapted their business models and improvised to meet changing demands. These changes involved changes to workplace environments, with some companies moving to fully-remote settings, changing job roles, and additional structural changes.
However, what are the implications of these workplace changes, and are they here to stay? As the economy continues to reopen, what will this mean for businesses? Keep reading to learn more.
Adapting To The Digital World
Adapting to a new digital workplace setting is not always easy, especially amidst the changing conditions of the pandemic. Perhaps your in-person job shifted online to a virtual setting. It can be difficult to know how to adapt and navigate the changes when there is so much uncertainty. However, this is a great opportunity to ask your employers questions. Utilize resources and consult with those who could help make the shift easier.
Processes have also changed in terms of how people collaborate. Perhaps instead of holding large meetings with people on your team in-person, you are conducting them via Zoom. There has been a growth in the reliance on digital tools and services, especially by people in the corporate world. Adapting to a role thus means adapting how you collaborate and communicate with your coworkers, so even though the work environment has changed, ensure you reestablish those connections virtually. Whether that may be through virtual team-building events for instance, it is key to get to know your team.
It is no doubt that all of these changes can be overwhelming, which is why having access to the right resources is key. As a starting point, learn more about the use of collaborative tool integration in the virtual workplace through one of our articles here.
Adjustments Beyond The Office
Adjustments may also occur outside of the workplace. Perhaps there are now different working hours, making it harder to fully disconnect from your job in the off-hours. That is why it is important to take advantage of resources available that will help you truly unplug and reduce burnout in the long run.
Retainify offers a variety of blogs on these topics, as found here. We have a range of blogs and resources ranging from HR topics to healthcare to employee satisfaction. One thing that many employees have experienced during this pandemic the most is fatigue and burnout. So to limit that, ensure you know the ins and outs of the workplace, while also navigating the new ins and outs of home life outside of the computer screen.
More Changes
Other than the difficulties of starting a new role, in this era, there can be some flexibility unlike before. No longer confined to the office and many people working from home, this has allowed employees to be able to work from anywhere they would like. The traditional 9 to 5 job has been something that is beginning to become phased out, as online workplaces have become more flexible to accommodate the changing times.
The way people connect outside of the workplace will also massively change. With in-person gatherings and meetings being less prominent unlike before, many have resorted to online activities to stay engaged and connected.
What Is Next?
As the economy and society at large are continually adapting, it is hard to say what the future of work will look like for some employees. According to Forbes, by 2030, 85% of jobs do not currently exist right now. While it is unclear what exactly these new jobs will be, it was also noted that according to McKinsey, people should expect that nearly 50% of all work-related processes will be automated by the same year as well (Dhaliwal). What is known however, is that many of these jobs will revolve around new and changing skill sets that are not yet widespread.
That being said, with some extra time at home with less outside obligations, now could be the perfect time to tailor your experience and skills to your role. Depending on the nature of your role and your employer, this may entail learning a new set of skills or upgrading current ones to meet business and/or technological demands. Reskilling and upskilling therefore are essential to continued employee development and success. As businesses move back to in-person operations, it is possible that employees could experience more adaptations to their roles, as more services may be needed once again. Therefore it is hard to predict, which is why communication with your employer is crucial to preparing next steps for your career journey.
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Citations:
Cantrell, S., Malcolm, T., & Jesuthasan, R. (2020, April 22). How the coronavirus crisis is redefining jobs. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://hbr.org/2020/04/how-the-coronavirus-crisis-is-redefining-jobs
Dell Technologies Corporate. Realizing 2030: dell technologies research explores the next era of human-machine partnerships. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://corporate.delltechnologies.com/en-us/newsroom/realizing-2030-dell-technologies-research-explores-the-next-era-of-human-machine-partnerships.htm
Dhaliwal, G. (2020, October 27). How the pandemic is changing the future of work. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/10/27/how-the-pandemic-is-changing-the-future-of-work/?sh=43f5043e6841
Kirby, S. (2020, June 2). 5 ways COVID-19 has changed workforce management. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/covid-homeworking-symptom-of-changing-face-of-workforce-management/
Lewis, N. (2020, April 22). HR managers rethink their role during the coronavirus pandemic. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/pages/hr-managers-rethink-their-work-coronavirus-pandemic.aspx
Weekes, E. (2020, April 29). 13 ways the coronavirus pandemic could forever change the way we work. Retrieved October 8, 2021, fromhttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/29/how-the-coronavirus-pandemic-will-impact-the-future-of-work.html