Last week, a crop of top scientific minds jointly encouraged the Biden administration to refocus pandemic efforts on “living with” the novel coronavirus instead of the “zero COVID” approaches that other nations, particularly China, have employed over the past two years. The goal here, as it seems, is to position COVID as one of several (including influenza and RSV) respiratory viruses that are endemic to humans on a seasonal basis (especially late fall and throughout the winter).
This strategy has become more tailored in the wake of the super-transmissible-but-less-severe Omicron variant, which is currently ripping through the population. By proxy of vaccination plus boosters and natural immunity, there should be, in theory, enough of a “wall” that we can return to what “normalcy” is in the months ahead.
From the business perspective, this means many things. The one I’d like to focus on, though, is return-to-office plans. Out of all the aspects that have been introduced and/or exacerbated by the pandemic, remote and hybrid work is at the very top of the list. And, when compared to an endemic COVID world, it would seem natural that more and more business leaders would leverage this status to get workers back into the office.
Here’s the thing, though: the digital workspace should no longer be considered an “alternative” option for how work is done, but rather another tool that drives true workforce agility.
The realm of remote and hybrid work today traverses beyond the mere discussion of “working from home” and into “how we get work done most effectively.” The hybrid workplace is no longer an avenue of telecommuting in order to stay safe and socially distance; while it will always be considered a way of enhancing COVID protocols during the most turbulent public health crisis of our lifetimes, the truth is that the lessons we’ve learned, along with the technology that has evolved over the past several years, has transformed the way hybrid work operates.
A few years ago, it was a simple option for workforce flexibility. Today, it’s the cornerstone of not only the digital enterprise, but the agile enterprise, as well. There are many reasons why hybrid work and pandemic should be decoupled, especially considering that a (hopeful) end to the crisis in finally starting to come to light.
- Collaborative technology has evolved to the point where hybrid work is just as, if not more, productive than traditional setups. From the benefits of single-sign-on frameworks to the elimination of disruptions and barriers inherent in remote work, today’s digital workspace technology enable businesses with the necessary infrastructure to provide workers with a seamless UX that promotes productivity and the optimization of how work is done. “Micro-automation” enables workers to develop in-application solutions to enhance process workflows, while today’s digital workspace technology prioritize the protection and security of data and intellectual property.
- One of the key benefits of hybrid work, flexibility, is a core reason why “The Great Resignation” is happening right now. Much of the analysis around the so-called “Big Quit” revolves around how well integrated flexibility is within a particular role or position…and sadly, there’s not much there for too many talented professionals across the globe. Even the most hardened executives are now realizing that flexibility in and of itself is a key benefit heralded by the “talent revolution” that is occurring today. Simply put: workers desire flexibility. Remote and hybrid work are the purest extensions of flexibility.
- The generational aspects of the workforce trend towards workers that desire (and thrive!) in remote environments. Millennials are now considered the largest generation in the current workforce; although a lot has been written (and said) about the nuances of the millennial community, the truth is that a generation raised on technology will obviously crave technology and automation in the workplace. As digital workspaces become a standard means of work as COVID hits its endemic point, businesses will find that they will become a more alluring option for younger generations of the workforce.
- Digital workspaces, and hybrid work in general, can enhance corporate culture and boost mental wellbeing. Limited time in the office can actually be a boon for collaboration; if workers know that they are in the office a single day each week, they will spend that time coordinating with colleagues and maximizing proximity collaboration. As such, this can be an enhancement to corporate culture in the months ahead, driving happier and more productive business outcomes. The Future of Work Exchange has highlighted the criticality of mental wellbeing in the workplace; the flexibility of digital workspaces provide workers with the ability to be more adaptable to their tasks, take the time they need to refocus, and, most importantly, build a better work-life integration.
