WEAR WORDS
Will the long-term effect of Covid-19 be to spell the end of office life as we know it , or will office-working return to normal pre-pandemic conditions in 2021 ?
Paul Wellstead , Seaham Spectrum Business Park developer The office will regain its importance but it will also evolve .
There will be agile working options and the companies that prosper will place even more importance on the quality and design of their office space . More floor space will be given over to features enhancing the office experience .
We will look back on Covid-19 as the shock that saw companies taking engaging and valuing their staff to the next level .
Paul McEldon , chief executive , North East BIC The key lesson we ’ ve learned from this experiment is that there is no ' one size fits all ' when it comes to workplace culture . The solution for many will be a hybrid model – a mix of flexible office space and remote working that allows employees to create bespoke working patterns .
The traditional office environment will continue to play a pivotal role , just not necessarily in the same manner as it has in years gone by .
Sandra Devlin , marketing manager , George Washington Hotel The pandemic has devastated the hospitality industry and for many that has meant getting used to furlough or home working . When it is all over , though , I think people are still going to want to return to offices because I know the novelty has worn off for a lot of people .
People enjoy the sense of community , togetherness and fun a good office environment can provide .
Al Yong , director , Rymote As we speak , my company is helping install ultrafast rural broadband in homes and businesses across Durham and Northumberland , for free , as part of the government ’ s Gigabit Broadband voucher scheme . Ultrafast broadband connections , even in the depths of the countryside , are only going to speed up the move towards home working in the future . The office will survive but , increasingly , working from home is going to be a viable , and even practical , option .
Mark Doherty , managing director , Identity Consult The way we use the office is going to change .
A staff questionnaire found they are very positive about the benefits of more home working and also the reduced carbon footprints . As a result , we are introducing flexible working in all our offices . We plan to use the office much more as a hub for collaboration and getting together , rather than simply a place that people have to be all day .
Natasha McDonough , managing director , MMC Research & Marketing
Our research indicates employees want a hybrid model - using the office for creative and strategic time with one another , while their actual “ work ” gets done in peace at home .
However , I can ’ t help thinking small , innovative tech / creative businesses might just move to a model of using virtual spaces for team meet-ups - to keep overhead costs down .
Alex Gordon , director , Network B2B A lot of businesses are working from home now - something they wouldn ’ t have thought possible pre-Covid-19 . For many smaller businesses , it just makes sense to cut those big office costs , now almost all transactions can be completed online .
It has been a big and disruptive change but one we have accepted .
Rachel Tang , marketing officer , RTC North The pandemic will play a vital role in office life moving forward . There have already been signs where it has challenged people ' s views on traditional office life . But one thing for certain is I don ’ t believe it will be the end of it - the pandemic has opened up opportunities for a move to balance a blend of both . This allows both business and personal needs to be more aligned as the social aspects of work play too big a role on our mental health .
50