
The Guide to Post-Pandemic Employee Expectations
As we approach post-pandemic times, there has been a noticeable societal shift in terms of how employees view their workplace. While the original shift to work-from-home and hybrid systems had taken some time to get used to, for many office workers, it has become a new norm and shaped routines for nearly 3 years. New priorities have arisen throughout the pandemic in terms of how we perform labor.
Currently another shift is attempting to take place, the push for a return to pre-pandemic norms. Logically, this shouldn’t be an issue considering most workers have been vaccinated, mortality rates have gone significantly down, and people are more willing to venture out of their homes. But are things really ever that simple? Routines solidified by 3 years of caution in unprecedented time are not that easy to shake. Workers have new expectations for their workplaces and these workplaces are expected to meet them if they wish to retain their teams. So what are some of these changes?
Health and Wellbeing
Living through a pandemic has made everyone more sensitive to health and wellbeing issues both personally and at work. There is an understanding now that health is not just an individual issue but that which requires social responsibility. These needs have risen in the priorities of many employees and so comes the expectations that their employers should meet their needs as most of their days are spent at work.
Flexible Working Hours
Without the need to commute and travel for work and between meetings, most office workers have discovered that they can get their tasks done in a shorter timespan. This has allowed employees the newfound freedom to start and stop working at their own pace while still meeting deadlines and targets. This flexibility has now become the expected standard for office work and many have developed their own routines and methods around the idea of these flexible working times. A push to return everyone back to a set schedule with limited give, may result in demotivation and a drop in productivity rather than the opposite.
WFH & Hybrid Systems
Surveys have shown that 82% of office workers prefer the WFH model of work as it cuts down on their personal expenses significantly without sacrificing their productivity. Companies may find themselves losing team members when trying to implement a 100% WFO model so a hybrid system may be considered if going back to the office is seen as an unmovable goal. Additionally, this may even work in the favor of companies as it would mean less expenditure for office space rentals and the amenities expected to come with them.
Better Facilities
After some time of working from the comfort of their homes with their work space tailored to fit their personal needs, many employees may find that their standards of quality for their workplace have increased. 3 years at home has let workers create work setups tailor made for their needs including tables, chairs, and even software more ergonomic for their bodies. Some may find their resources at home now far exceed whatever they were used to back in their offices. The quality of office work spaces, therefore, must rise to meet these increased expectations to ensure employee satisfaction.
Pay attention to these items and your organisation’s employer brand will steadily transform into the top choice workplace among jobseekers. Visit us today to see what we can do for you!