COVID-19 has changed the concept of workplace normalcy forever, and most employees are comfortable with their in-person workspace – reports Prudential
A majority of the American workers, nearly 63%, reported that the widespread pandemic has drastically altered the normalcy of the workplace. It is believed that the way most employees work may never be able to switch to the ‘normal’ pattern. Such interesting findings came up from the latest study by Prudential, in association with Morning Consult, titled – “Pulse of the American Worker Survey: Living the Future of Work”. About 46% of the workers said that the pandemic had created anxiety and stress – which are negatively affecting their work.
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The researchers from Prudential analyzed how the respondents have shared their experience of working remotely, how this crisis has influenced their behavior and their opinions about an in-person office and technologies. The virus outbreak has transformed the “new normal” of remote work, and 75% of the workforce globally is now working from home – as per Pulse Secure. Various workplaces are thus impacted on how people think about the future of their worksite.
The impact of COVID-19 has been so severe that people fear going out and interacting with other people. Almost 6 in 10 say surveyed people indicated that they would change their personal behavior at work – in order to limit their contact and connections with people. Similarly, another 49% of workers believe that open workspaces are no longer safe or in the best interest of their wellness and health – even after the pandemic situation.
The report also found different challenges with remote working, including – isolation (40%), distractions (40%), a blurred line between work-life balance (34%), and adjusting to new work-related dynamics (34%). Despite these challenges, almost 68% of workers who are currently working from home indicated that they would like to continue the same. Another 54% of workers reported they would like to work remotely in the future. A smaller percentage of workers (18%) indicated inadequate technology to be a barrier to working from home.
In its essence, the report found that nearly 75% of the respondents (who are currently working from home) said their employer had taken active steps to ensure they can work remotely. Around 69% of people feel remote work allows them to make time for self-care and mental health. Many people have developed their experience and skills with video conference skills (28%), new technologies (28%), time/project management (24%), and critical thinking (20%).
The future of work is highly critical.
- Nearly 66% of employees demand a restructured workspace with more personal space, after the coronavirus – if they have to attend worksite.
- About 50% of respondents said they want their employers to restrict the number of in-person meetings.
- Another 68% of people noted that remote work will become normalized from now. Almost 1 out of 5 said they are actively considering elsewhere for a job, which will permit them to work remotely.
Remote work was a temporary adjustment for many, but both employers and employees were overall happy with the positive responses. Even if the pandemic is over, employees believe the future of the workplace will undoubtedly be different – if they have to back to the office.
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It will be interesting to see what unfolds as the future of workplaces?