Businesses have been able to support staff from both the office and home working side of the divide almost invariably. Employers who are responsible have been able to adapt.
We were forced to question the long-term role and effectiveness of office and homeworking as we emerged from restrictions.
I am a specialist in recruiting for the financial services sector in Scotland and have spoken to business leaders about why they are eager to welcome back staff to their workplace.
WFH is bad for the career and social development of younger staff. This is a consistent theme. Even with the best intentions in the world, and with the most powerful resources, supporting and mentoring digitally-savvy individuals is no match for the traditional approach of senior colleagues.
WFH is embraced by some employees, but there are others who find it less appealing. I am thinking of those who are isolated and see WFH a tedious slog.
It’s not surprising that a significant portion of Scotlands financial industry is now trying to return to normal office-based working.
This is being met with resistance from staff who insist they can perform their duties as well, if not better, without any adverse impact on the employer and while creating a better work-life balance.
I will be the first to say that I am not a fence sitter. I believe home-working should be viewed on a case by case basis to find a solution that benefits both parties.
To encourage and motivate staff back to work, business leaders might need to focus more on the carrot than the stick. All office-based businesses (not just financial) may have to rethink the office in order to be a “nirvana place” that offers a true balance and addresses some of WFH’s benefits.
While I don’t advocate a sudden transformation of offices into Silicon Valley-style hubs, it seems increasingly clear that the standardised open-plan office layouts are becoming sterile, redundant, and even unhygienic.
It is likely that there will not be a need for physical desk space. Instead, there will be a greater emphasis on collaboration focal point areas, break-out spaces and quiet spaces. This would appeal to WFH supporters.
Modern offices should provide the space needed to work comfortably and allow those who are in need of support to access it through their team members. The benefits of business ownership must be repackaged and re-sold in this capacity.
We are now free from the latest restrictions and it is up to office landlords, designers, and developers to help us find new spaces that fit our new normal.
Betsy Williamson, Managing Director and Founder of Core-Asset Consulting, is Betsy Williamson
