Reimagining Work After COVID-19. We Offer Some Possible Future Scenarios

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the idea that you cannot separate human concerns from technological advances. When organizations have looked at adapting their ways of working in response to the crisis, they have found that, in many parts of the world, technology is not the biggest challenge. In those countries where technology has been a great challenge, the crisis has highlighted the digital divide that exists in rural communities. In countries where technology is available, one of the biggest barriers has been building models that can integrate humans with these technologies, as this involves creating new habits and practices to meet human needs, such as the desire for meaning, connection and well-being at work.

This crisis presents a unique opportunity for organizations to overcome the instinct to treat humans and machines in the same way and build connections instead that can reinforce a path which will nurture both growth and innovation in the post-COVID-19 period.

Studies from big companies, such as Deloitte, McKinsey and Gartner, predict that companies will have the chance to reshape and rebuild the structure of work. Let’s take a look at some of these possible future scenarios!

Remote work and Safe workspaces

Clearly, remote work or working at home will become predominant. Organizations have adapted surprisingly quickly by managing tools for efficient worker management. Employees also say they have been as productive as they were in the office, if not more so.

According to McKinsey research, 80 percent of respondents reported that they enjoy working from home. Forty-one percent said they were more productive than they had been before and 28 percent were as productive.

In addition, an IBM survey found that 80% of those currently working remotely would like to continue to work away from the office at least occasionally, while 58% would like this to be their primary way of working. Of those working remotely full-time, only one in ten want to return to their workplace exclusively.

On the other hand, given the need for face-to-face contact in some jobs, organizations need to create specially designed spaces that ensure the…