The New Normal Is Up to You!

Don't wait to adapt; build your own New Normal.

After all these months of adapting work organization and internal processes and investing in the development of effective infrastructure to support telecommuting, returning to the traditional pre-pandemic way of working is highly improbable. In many environments, telecommuting has proven to be beneficial in several regards, for both employers and employees. This emerging trend of a flexible work environment promotes efficiency gains and improves employee productivity, when properly managed.

In terms of human resources management, the shift to a hybrid work mode puts the notion of trust at the forefront. Giving employees the opportunity to choose their own work schedule and location, and to operate independently, implies mutual respect and recognition of the skills and strengths of each team member. With the right technological tools, employees, employers and building managers can easily maintain an efficient and productive communication network. Technology provides a sense of proximity despite the distance and has an undeniable advantage in collecting valuable data that can be used to optimize daily operations or define future business plans.

The transformation of work habits towards a hybrid mode has a direct impact on space utilization and many companies are currently reducing the number of fixed workstations, i.e., assigned to a single person. Rather than shedding high-priced square footage in the hopes of saving money, large office tower tenants should first rearrange their space to give it new purposes and make it as profitable as possible. To make the right decisions about how much office space to convert and how to properly accommodate new needs, it is essential to have a good understanding of employees' work habits, to consult with them to determine their most important needs, and to rely on factual data, such as the building's occupancy rate.

A flexible workplace inevitably increases the mobility of the workforce and changes the role of the office and the perception of employees. Made up of large customizable spaces with corporate branding, it's easy to imagine the office becoming the preferred place for occasional group gatherings and celebrations among colleagues because of this redefinition of work habits. Office visits take on a whole new meaning and feel like a social activity.

In the future, companies will distinguish themselves by the enhanced employee experience they are able to offer their employees when they come to the office. Human resources managers face a major challenge in retaining employees. They must compete creatively to stand out and today, technology and artificial intelligence are your best allies to assert your market position as the best flexible work environment available!