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How should companies adapt to the post-pandemic workspace?

Work in offices will not disappear in the coming years, but it will need a renovation to face post-COVID-19 challenges. 

Before 2020, it was close to impossible to imagine that a company would be able to continue operations with 100% of its employees working form home, but time has proved that we are able to adapt to new circumstances. This pandemic will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the biggest tragedies of our lifetime. However, it is essential not to miss the opportunities that have opened up for the business world.

Work from home is a reality and digital workspaces offer a lot of advantages to both companies and employees. Mobile technology and digital tools allow employees to work whenever and wherever suits them. Moreover, that makes it easier to attract talent from any corner of the world. 

Digital workspaces have led to the creation of the “flex economy.”

This phenomenon is, indeed, related to the creation of flexible workspaces, as co-workings. This new scenario has created facilities to job opportunities and promotion and also has embraced big companies to adopting flexible working policies. 

But do companies really want their employees to never return to the office? 

Of course not. But “go back to office” will have new meaning post COVID. The office of the future has to consider the employee’s preferences and companies’ new functioning. It is important that businesses continue existing in physical workspaces, but unlike before pandemic, it does not have to be their predominant place. Scott Birnbaum, Vice President of Samsung, said that “the most creative ideas aren´t going to come while sitting in front of your monitor.” Face to face interactions are one of the most important activities at an office, so it will be necessary to mix digital communication and physical space so that the possibility of producing innovative ideas can increase. 

What are the biggest challenges to companies now that telework is on-demand? 

Employees and companies should arrange new schedules in which they are able to spend some days in the office and some days working remotely by updating remote work polices. Companies should implement what is called “hybrid work” because telework does not necessarily have to supplant in person work. 

In hybrid workspace, security becomes more important than ever.

The office of the future will most likely include networked and shared spaces that will blur limitations between physical and digital workspaces. Moreover, using proper digital tools (different ones depending on the type of business), will generate more effective workflows. New circumstances have shown that no matter how companies design office space, they must incorporate digital work in order to be agile and not lose productivity. 

Most employees are using electronic devices as well as digital tools, therefore, companies have to take cybersecurity seriously and make real investments. The tradeoffs of employee flexibility in an uncertain world will be worth the extra commitment to cybersecurity. 

In short, companies have the ability to reinvent themselves to survive adversity. A good balance between digital and face-to-face workspaces can make teams more productive and efficient, and will lead to greater benefits and advantages for companies. 

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