With COVID-19 cases reaching new, record-low numbers in Singapore, Australia, and many parts of South East Asia, there is a stark increase in the number of employees returning to the office in the first quarter of 2021. However, with such a disruptive and defining year in 2020, how will this affect the at-work expectations of employees in 2021?
In a post COVID-19 world where so many have become accustomed to working from the comfort of working from their living room. There is an increased emphasis on creating workspaces that are comfortable for employees. So, to help streamline the return to work, we have put together a list of three things that employers can do to make the return to work more comfortable for employees.
Hygiene is Paramount
It should come as no surprise that employees expect more when it comes to hygiene in the workplace. 2020 was a defining year for personal hygiene, and it is the responsibility of employees to provide basic personal sanitisation equipment such as Brisbane Hand Sanitiser, Soap, and Sanitisation Stations for employees. Whether you were a germaphobe in 2019 or not, 2020 was a year that changed the way that many viewed hygiene in the workplace. Therefore, it is necessary that employers adapt their at-work practices to ensure that employees feel safe and comfortable in the workplace.
Keep it Comfortable And Relaxed
2020 was the year that everyone found comfort in sweatpants, sweatshirts, and from the comfort and convenience of a laptop on the lounge. To ensure that employers are providing an environment that fosters productivity, it is important that the workplace provides comfortable furniture, ergonomic equipment, and a dress code that prioritises productivity over traditional workplace attire. At the end of the day, the emphasis needs to be on creating a workplace where employees feel that can be comfortable and productive.
Look At Output, Not At Hours
In 2020, for the first time ever, the biggest emphasis was on the amount of work that employees completed – not the number of hours that were spent at the desk. A study from Forbes in November 2020 found that productivity in the tech sector had increased by as much as 43% with employees recording record levels of job satisfaction and reduced work hours. For 2021, employers must prioritise output over an arbitrary 40-hour working week.
Final Thoughts
It doesn’t matter which way you look at it, 2020 was a defining year for the professional sector. The events that shaped 2020 have expedited the work from home movement and changed the way that employees view work life balance. Employers have the responsibility to create spaces that foster creativity and productivity in 2021.
