What The Pandemic Has Taught Us About The Way We Work

As we return to business as usual, will we be able to forget the joys of long lunches and working in our underwear?

The era of Corona Virus has plagued our lives now for a long time and it isn’t over yet. It’s been a period of heartache, fear and disruption, and in many ways, it’s become (I hate the phrase but I’ve got to use it) our ‘new normal’. Everything has changed from the way we interact, to where we go, to how we work.

As things in the UK are starting to return to a level of normality (for now anyway), it’s becoming glaringly obvious that some of the changes we have faced in our lives recently cannot only be described as, ‘not so bad’, but are actually an improvement on before. In a culture that seems to favour the rat race, defines success by how shiny a person’s office is, and expects around the clock availability, the way we have worked throughout the pandemic is a stark contrast and it has bought with it some serious realisations.

I quit the rat race 5 years ago now and since then, I’ve been shouting as loud as I can about how good it is on the other side. I’ve been spouting about work life balance, supporting flexible working initiatives and uttering the words ‘working smart, not hard’ and other similar kinds of phrase that I know are extremely annoying to the hard working, obedient employee.

But now, this lifestyle is becoming so much more accessible. People are seeing the benefits first hand. Having been forced into working so differently, employees everywhere are really starting to get this, and there is no going back. People have tasted flexible working, they’ve relished working at the kitchen table in their underwear and no amount of perfectly cleaned glass with a city view, is going to make up for a two hour commute and time not spent with loved ones.

We’ve seen the light….

What Will The Post Pandemic Work Place Look Like?

It’s inevitable that things will have to change. Many things that were deemed unworkable before have been proven to be to the contrary. Those with low job satisfaction are seeing that there is an alternative. In fact, a record number of people are quitting their jobs and going it alone. In April this year, it was reported that 4 million people in the US quit their jobs.

Invariably, many people who have stayed and who are returning to the old way of working, are no longer satisfied. Their experiences of remote working can’t be shaken and these people are realising that they can use their successes as ammunition for change in the workplace. And it’s about time!

Flexible Working

Of course flexible working has been a ‘thing’ for a long time now. Forward thinking companies adapted it yonks ago, along with many private sector organisations, but it’s still something that many employers seem scared of. The logistics have been used as a reason not to adopt it, but in many cases there is now a wealth of proof that it works. During the pandemic, people have been forced to manage their own schedules, and manage them they have.

Parents have worked around children and home schooling, people have had a say in when their day starts and begins and for the lucky ones, late night working has been exchanged fairly with midweek days off. Of course, not every version of this story is positive, but those who have evidence that their flexible working has been productive are making appointments with their employers, putting their case forward for this to continue.

Remote Working

With flexible working, comes the argument for remote working, or working from home. Avoiding long commutes means there is more time in a day to be flexible. Employees are seeing the value in working from home and the best thing is, many employers are also seeing the huge benefits this brings. All over the country, people are selling up office space in favour of remote working, or hot desking to reduce the amount of office space needed at any given time.

For the average employee working in London, remote working is saving them £5,000 a year in commuting costs. For parents, who can avoid extra childcare costs as wrap around care, you can add another £2,500 per year to that total. This is huge and many smart businesses are realising this and seeing remote work as a benefit to both the business and their workforce.

Work Life Balance

The extra time that flexible working and remote working brings has made many people reevaluate their work life balance. In the West, there isn’t always a great deal of balance in this area. Burnout is common, as we work late, answer emails around the clock and live with the general expectation that we will work more hours than we are contracted.

The pandemic has really caused people to reassess what it means to have balance. The extra time with family, more time at home, long lunches (or just lunch at all really) is hard to ignore. In some areas in the UK, house prices have shot up, as people have left busy cities for the quiet country life and remote working, after tasting the freedom (and home made bread) this lifestyle brings.

Work life balance is no longer a buzzword, it’s real and tangible and people want it. It’s become accessible and I hope this is going to be a huge turning point in employee wellbeing.

Take Home

The changes we’ve been through since the onset of the pandemic have been huge. The businesses that have thrived have been those that have adapted and changed in line with restrictions and customer needs, adopted new technology and made employee satisfaction a priority. As we return to work as we know it, clever businesses will know this trend and they will continue to grow.

There’s going to be a big shift in how we work and this is your chance to be a part of it. If you are looking for change and more balance, this is the time to broach it with your employer. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Be the change you wish to see.

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