Changes to the workplace setting post COVID
Discussion
I am hunting, like so many for a new role, but, one thing I am beginning to see (at least for roles that I am going for or firms in my area) is the different thoughts and approaches post COVID regarding remote working.
a) Desperate to get back to the office, and is more or less demanding it with little flexibility regarding remote working and I quote one MD going "because the team have spent months working from home"
b) Middle ground but predominantly office (it will be interesting to see how hot desking gets handled).
c) As per b but swapped around and use something like a wework office
d) Dumping the office entirely and saving significant sums in doing so, with face to face in hotels!
I appreciate that some of the above is not possible for some roles or industries, but surely you have to call into question whether some of the ivory towers are necessary when most roles don't need a desk in an office!
And yes for the record my role could be done remotely, rarely do I need a system that is internal....in fact most of what I do is done by external providers!
What are your thoughts?
a) Desperate to get back to the office, and is more or less demanding it with little flexibility regarding remote working and I quote one MD going "because the team have spent months working from home"
b) Middle ground but predominantly office (it will be interesting to see how hot desking gets handled).
c) As per b but swapped around and use something like a wework office
d) Dumping the office entirely and saving significant sums in doing so, with face to face in hotels!
I appreciate that some of the above is not possible for some roles or industries, but surely you have to call into question whether some of the ivory towers are necessary when most roles don't need a desk in an office!
And yes for the record my role could be done remotely, rarely do I need a system that is internal....in fact most of what I do is done by external providers!
What are your thoughts?
There's a longstanding tradition of people working from home and productivity dropping like a stone, so from that respect I could understand some hesitation, certainly from more old school employers. I think it'll change though, with time. I think that doing away with offices full time might not be feasible. Not everyone has enough space at home to WFH full time.
One projection I've seen is a 20% loss of offices, which I think sounds reasonable. I suspect many people are overestimating how much of a shift will occur because, as mentioned above, productivity drops and the lack of regular face to face contact with colleagues has a detrimental effect.
Steve91 said:
There's a longstanding tradition of people working from home and productivity dropping like a stone...
I think it depends on the individual and the nature of the work. It's very easy to measure my productivity so there's nowhere to hide if I'm tossing it off. My productivity has improved while I've been working from home since lock-down started. I follow the same daily schedule at home as I do in the office and I'm much more at ease away from the goldfish bowl environment of an open plan office. With the overall climate of my work space set up to suit me and my choice of music on I find it much easier to find a rhythm and bang out tons of work. Furthermore, because I don't have to spend time traveling to and from work I'm happy to overrun a bit at the end of the day if I know I can finish something I'm working on in the next half an hour or so.Some interesting views, I can see where some of the above in relation to productivity concerns comes from in certain industries and roles.
But, I also, as said above can see the fact there is no where to hide as it were in regards to performance and meeting deadlines.
I think it is interesting as one of the roles I got turned down for (but the company have offered me a second interview in a slightly different role) is predominantly home working with one day a week roughly meeting up face to face.
I think the views on hot desking are equally interesting, would you be able to provide any reasons as to the issues or just the open plan nature?
But, I also, as said above can see the fact there is no where to hide as it were in regards to performance and meeting deadlines.
I think it is interesting as one of the roles I got turned down for (but the company have offered me a second interview in a slightly different role) is predominantly home working with one day a week roughly meeting up face to face.
I think the views on hot desking are equally interesting, would you be able to provide any reasons as to the issues or just the open plan nature?
Ninja59 said:
I think the views on hot desking are equally interesting, would you be able to provide any reasons as to the issues or just the open plan nature?
Well, for some companies 'hot desking' is another way of saying "we don't have enough room for everyone" which obviously has implications of finding a space. If you have some people that are there frequently and others just occasionally you can also end up with some groups making certain areas their de facto permanent desks and the less frequent visitors can start feeling a bit like 'outsiders'. I work in property and unfortunately Joe Public love to come into offices and always want paper details rather than electronic. The side I work on (residential lettings) requires, at present, an element of face to face interaction in relation to signing contracts etc. The biggie for us is that another part of our workplace is other people's homes. Quarterly inspections, viewings, issuing notices etc. Nightmare.
I'm currently working from home and my productivity is far lower than normal. If it's mandated that the industry works from home I'll be looking for another career as I can't stand this. I've already been to the office (keys are held there and need to be signed to contractors) and rearranged it into a Covid 19 Social distancing compliant layout for the 3 permanent and 2 flexi staff we have. I've even started to write a working practice document in relation to it to cover ourselves.
As you're looking for new employment, I'd imagine showing flexibility and willingness to work either from home or in the office will be advantageous. I've spoken to a number of loons who have told me they're contemplating never leaving the house again (literally) and if I were a prospective employer and someone exhibited that attitude then they'd be a non starteer.
I'm currently working from home and my productivity is far lower than normal. If it's mandated that the industry works from home I'll be looking for another career as I can't stand this. I've already been to the office (keys are held there and need to be signed to contractors) and rearranged it into a Covid 19 Social distancing compliant layout for the 3 permanent and 2 flexi staff we have. I've even started to write a working practice document in relation to it to cover ourselves.
As you're looking for new employment, I'd imagine showing flexibility and willingness to work either from home or in the office will be advantageous. I've spoken to a number of loons who have told me they're contemplating never leaving the house again (literally) and if I were a prospective employer and someone exhibited that attitude then they'd be a non starteer.
Interesting views, I do have "flexibility", but I like to see it on both sides, should I say. Remote working is something I have always had and I feel quite protective over that "non financial benefit".
For most of the roles I am in the process for there has been discussions around office v remote working and the amount of it post covid, which is good to see.
Some of the sectors around specific healthcare needs are clearly more sensitive and they are planning more remote working due to less desks to meet social distancing.
Another role is 4 days a week remote, one day (when possible) in their second office at Paddington, their main office is in Wiltshire with me down in Kent, so it works nicely.
For most of the roles I am in the process for there has been discussions around office v remote working and the amount of it post covid, which is good to see.
Some of the sectors around specific healthcare needs are clearly more sensitive and they are planning more remote working due to less desks to meet social distancing.
Another role is 4 days a week remote, one day (when possible) in their second office at Paddington, their main office is in Wiltshire with me down in Kent, so it works nicely.
There will have to be a change in ways of working as social distancing (of some description) will be with us for at least another year.
I would usually work in a large, open plan hot desking office (100+ desks per floor) and maybe because it's what I've always been used to, I like it. I would usually work at home 1 day a week and that's enough for me. I think the new normal will be a wider acceptance of remote working and scaled back office presence. Generally a more flexible approach to work, whether employers and employees like it or not.
I would usually work in a large, open plan hot desking office (100+ desks per floor) and maybe because it's what I've always been used to, I like it. I would usually work at home 1 day a week and that's enough for me. I think the new normal will be a wider acceptance of remote working and scaled back office presence. Generally a more flexible approach to work, whether employers and employees like it or not.
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