Top Workplace Issues Post Pandemic

It’s no secret that there has been a massive shift in the work world now that (hopefully) the pandemic is mostly in the rearview window. For the last two years, our global focus has been to manage the day-to-day needs of our workforce as we all faced the realities of a world reeling from a contagious and deadly virus. 

Some of the changes were already in the works for years prior to the pandemic and merely sped up, while others newly emerged due to the changes necessary to have business continuity. 

Here are some of the changes we have seen in businesses and organizations. Let us know some of the changes your company has experienced as we navigate this new normal together. 

Shifting Balance of Power

What was once a work world where the employer held most of the power has shifted to the employees holding the reigns. 

With the loss of 47 million employees in 2021 as a part of what is being called the Great Resignation, employees need to create incentives and a culture where employees want to stay. That shift in power is almost palpable as this will impact all other areas of the workplace including the potential for flexible hours, expanded benefits, and hybrid options for employees who have outside of work responsibilities like child care or elder care. 

Mobility & Flexibility 

Most of us have come to the realization that with a little adjustment, our jobs can successfully be completed at home. While there is the trade-off of losing office companionship, communication, and camaraderie, productivity can still be high and clients can still get high-quality service. 

A recent Gartner poll showed that 48% of employees will likely work remotely at least part of the time after COVID-19 versus 30% before the pandemic. 

This double edged-sword of wanting to have the connections that the office space allows as well as the autonomy that working from home allows has proven to be a difficult one to navigate. Over the course of the pandemic, when most people worked remotely, there seemed to be an uptick in productivity. But, they also felt disconnected and somewhat lonely in their work. Due to this, a hybrid model may be the next trend as employers try to balance work-life balance for their valued employees. 

Privacy 

Working from home over the last few years has led many employees to value their privacy. They are able to work at their own pace, get things done in their personal life, and balance it all, the way they want to. This level of privacy is not always possible in the workplace. Employers and business leaders will need to be consciously aware of the level of privacy they allow their employees as the years roll on. 

Focus on Employee Health & Well-being 

The pandemic didn’t just impact our physical health but also our mental health. As we all reprioritize the importance of the health and well-being of employees. Managers and company leadership should be creating opportunities for mental health check-ins and opportunities for connections with others in the office. 

What changes have you seen in your office? Tell us in the comments about trends you are witnessing in your field. 

Categorised in: Blog, covid lessons