OUR THOUGHTS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF WORK AFTER COVID-19
After analysing what is happening, listening to experts, and drawing conclusions from our own experience, we want to share our thoughts regarding the key ideas for the future during and after the COVID 19 outbreak.
During the current coronavirus crisis, many are talking about a “new normal”, as well as about the opportunity to re-design new ways of work. The common ground is that nothing will be the same: employees are not going to go back with the same views, beliefs or mentality about work. Although organisations have created plans to navigate the crisis, they also need a plan for recovery.
But what are the elements that will be key when designing our workspaces during and after the crisis?
The virtual influence…
For many companies, the ‘virtual’ has been about facilitating communication and management protocols in order to maintain productivity for employees in their home “workspaces”. In contrast, others have struggled, but they have identified how dependent they are on their facilities at work. As a result, we now have more possibilities that reinforce the importance of flexibility and resilience.
History has shown how workspaces adapt to respond to businesses needs. Yet, the workplace has constantly fallen behind technology and communication changes, as Herman Miller’s former head of research Robert Propst states in “The office a facility based on change”(1968),
Workspace vs. Workplace
The current situation with Covid-19 has accelerated many changes where the definition of “workplace” falls short. The “workplace” has traditionally been connected to the Office and the recent evolution from cubicles to open offices and collaborative spaces. Whilst at first glance, “workplace” and ‘workspace’ appear to be synonymous to one another; ”workspace” can, in fact, be independent of the “workplace” and can help us define the new spaces of work that are appearing due to Covid-19.
How? We think in the future we will have a “workplace” or new office to gather and communicate, and multiple “workspaces” that are connected to the individual worker, much like “Third places”(OLDENBURG)
We think that flexibility is key to adapt to the challenges, and Resilience to recovery quickly and re-invent positively the way we work. Nowadays this is possible with technology.
Design as a Catalyst for a New ‘Health and Safety’ Culture
Our experience has led us to believe that Design can be used as a catalyst for major cultural or organisational changes.
Organisations will have to provide tools and resources to maintain the health conditions of their staff. Among the guidelines that governments are establishing, the main ones are maintaining social distancing, reduction of occupation, circulation routes, and floor-graphics, etc. This embraces a new workplace and/or workspace design that is flexible enough to enable changing seating, tables and layouts so that people are, and feel, safe. Ultimately, space should influence people’s behaviours at work.
Re-invention in the short, mid and long term
At the head of the spear, we see architectural firms, such as MVRDV, have adapted to the situation and taken a step towards reintegration to the workplace. They have made their insights public so that other companies can follow their suggestions. However, due to the uncertainty of the real outcomes of the pandemic, organisations need to think creatively on contingency plans not only for the short-term ‘re-integration to work’, but also for the mid and long term.
For instance, in the mid-term, companies can add a layer of technology/automation to their facilities to achieve a touch-free, aseptic “workplace”(CUSHMANS & WAKEFIELD). Or become 100% remote-based eliminating real estate costs that could be re-invested in their employee’s home “workspaces”.
In the long term, headquarters will be places to meet and make big decisions. Also where bonds between employees are strengthened. This could make possible what has been widely discussed recently, that “we are moving towards an era of evermore human-centred design” (INSIGHFUL ENVIRONMENT 2020 TRENDS)
Socialising in the new normal
As we have seen, employees are, and will be, less controlled by a location to undertake their job. However, a survey launched by WAW showed that the most difficult aspect for employees is isolation. This highlights the importance of social contact and interaction.
Additionally, in terms of performance, there is always a great advantage in seeing our colleagues and sharing ideas face-to-face. People are missing socialising and they are expecting to do so when they go back to work.
For this reason, organisations should come up with a plan to re-orientate and adjust shared spaces. Collaborative areas can be adapted to maintain a physical distance whilst reducing density by using adjustable screens, having standing meetings, installing divisions or panels and rearranging components. Also, Biophilic design is a great strategy to take advantage of nature’s benefits outdoors and indoors.
Well-being at the centre
We believe this situation has allowed us to reflect on our own and other’s well-being. There are many lessons we could learn in the days to come, but without a doubt humanising the way we work has taken the priority.
Companies are facing the need for taking care of their employees, and this will continue to happen post-Covid-19. “I hope [post crisis] we look after people more, Organisations that have cared for their people through this will see rewards in terms of loyalty and motivation. Those who haven’t will suffer,” says Neil Morrison, CHRO of water company Severn Trent (People Management)
In general, people trust their organisations are doing their best to deal with the situation. Still, managers will have to focus more on the person rather than the process. Clear and permanent communication, emotional and practical support, as well as empathy, are some of the expected behaviours from the leaders to their staff.
Our final thoughts…
Work is becoming more impermanent and unstable, and a major economic negative impact will be part of the short to mid-term reality. But, despite this, it is mandatory to maintain positive-creative thinking.
We believe the “new office” should be inspiring and flexible, allowing people to work in the best way for themselves. Giving employees the autonomy they need throughout collaborative areas as well as private-focus spaces.
We are facing a great opportunity to reimagine the future of work. This disruptive situation could encourage a new way of working, operating differently, inspiring ways to establish our priorities and even new beliefs.
By: Sol Martinez and Claudia Canizares, Co-founders at WAW
We’ve designed a service to help organisations meet the re-opening guidelines to ensure people´s health and safety. Check WAW Covid-19: Back To Work
