Nov 10, 2020
By Leslie O'Connell

The New Workplace–Autonomy & Flexibility

For all of the beauty of technology and all the things we’ve helped facilitate over the years, nothing yet replaces human interaction… And I don’t think it will ever happen.”    –  Tim Cook, Apple

We can all agree that how we work and our workplaces are going to change because of COVID-19.

How work will change is a hot topic right now. Will the current work from home situation keep us from going back to offices? Or will quarantining and social distancing give us a greater appreciation for the workplace?

There are pre-COVID statistics that can guide us to the new normal.

Working from home was gaining momentum before COVID. Before the virus, 5 million US employees were working from home at least half the time. In 2019, 69% of companies offered telecommuting options.

It’s safe to say that this unexpected work from home experiment is paving the way for more flexibility, which is fantastic. Remote work has been shown to increase productivity and lessen sick days. Employers who offer work from home options had employee turnover rates drop by over 50%. And 86% of employees say they’re most productive when they work alone.

On the flip side, the office is a place to socialize, develop relationships, and connect with others on both a professional and personal level. Casual water cooler small talk and socializing after work brings a different level of trust and collaboration you just can’t get remotely. Studies have shown that working together in the same room solves problems more quickly and fosters innovation.

So, what’s the answer? Do we return to the office or stay home?

A 2017 Gallup’s State of the American Workplace study has the answer. They found that hybrid work–working remotely for two to three days a week–is the most productive. That gives us two to three days of collaboration and socializing, with days of quiet and focus.

It’s safe to assume that we will go back to the office on staggered schedules and that desks will need to be farther apart.  Half of us in the office two days a week, the other half a different two days, and everyone gets Friday from home.

(I’m all for Friday from home. Better yet, how about that 4-day work week movement?)

Here’s what else the new workplace will bring.

Greater Flexibility and Autonomy

We’re available all the time, thanks to technology. We’re used to it, and for the most part, we’re okay with it.  We do, however, want to swap the “always-on” for greater workplace flexibility. The sudden transition of having to work from home will likely make most of us more comfortable with creating a better work-life balance.

We’re all laughing at the kids in the background during our video calls, the dogs barking, and those more embarrassing video moments being shared all over social media. Now, more than ever, we’ve embraced family distractions and accepted everyone has lives outside of the workplace.

Everyone will view their roles differently, with greater trust and understanding for our colleagues.

Family has never been more important, and this tough time will not easily be forgotten. We’ll all have, and take, more freedom and flexibility to attain a healthy work-life balance. No one will think twice if you’re late because you went for an early morning run, or you leave early to pick up the kids.

We may find that our office time is more focused, collaborative, and specific. Less about just sitting at our desk from 9-5, and more about connections and collaboration.

I hope when we all go back to normal, we will have the balance of a digital workplace combined with greater work flexibility. And a culture of professional and pertinent collaboration, with staggered flexible work schedules.