Are You Making Your Temporary Remote Work Style Permanent?
I hope our readers are staying healthy and optimistic as the pandemic continues through this tumultuous year of 2020. As a result of the work style adjustments we were obligated to make in March, I find myself wondering which of these changes might become permanent as we transition toward the “new normal”.
Working from Home Forever
One of the most significant shifts made by those fortunate enough to continue with their employment was the change in workplace from an office to a home setting. Many companies successfully forged a way to make it work, and some now are even making the transition permanent, including such well-known names as:
- JP Morgan
- Shopify
- Groupe PSA (non-production staff)
- Slack
- Apple
These new circumstances are hardly limited to large employers. Many small and mid-sized companies, including several collection agencies and collection law firms, are also continuing to maintain significant segments of their workforce in a work-from-home situation. For some in our industry, this transition is producing huge savings on rent, insurance, utilities, and other costs associated with having a centralized office location.
The New Quarantine Routine
While some people are continuing to work from home out of necessity, it seems that many are making the choice voluntarily. For this portion of the work population that may be working extensively at home for the first time, they may have discovered that they are:
- Able to manage both family and career obligations more effectively
- Speaking to colleagues more often via phone or video teleconferencing
- Becoming more physically active during the workday by taking walks or exercising in between work assignments
- Developing better habits of hydration, eating, and sleeping
During times of crisis, necessity is the mother of invention. I would bet there are many instances where working from home has shown a better and more creative way to do things.
Please let us know how this conversion to remote work has affected you and your business, and what you foresee happening down the road.