The coronavirus has changed the way many things are being done in the 2020 world. Among the more significant changes are those that impact the workforce. Businesses have had to find creative ways of keeping their employees productive while also protecting their health and safety. Methods that may have once been discouraged have become crucial in keeping businesses going. Chances are that many of these changes will remain, even after the pandemic is over.
Telecommuting
Employers may have frowned upon working from home in the past, citing limited oversight and the potential for abuse. However, during this crisis, many business owners have learned that accountability is possible with remote workers and that they are, in fact, fortunate to have that option available. Companies may find that telecommuting is not only more convenient for their people but allows them to save money on unnecessary office space.
Sick Leave
Because employers have historically limited sick days, employees often go to work ill rather than using vacation time or forfeiting pay when their sick leave is used up. When it was “just a cold,” powering through it and going to work seemed like a reasonable thing to do, though they would be spreading their germs throughout the office. However, a potentially life-threatening virus is quite another thing. After COVID-19, it is unlikely that employees will be allowed to work when they’re sick, and co-workers will help make sure of it.
Travel
When the various travel restrictions were put into place during 2020, companies learned to rely on videoconferencing technology in place of business travel. The smart ones have also realized how much money they are saving by eliminating airfare, hotel and restaurant expenses. Because of this, it’s unlikely that the previous demand for business travel will resume when things return to normal, given the costs and the risks.
Technology
During this very unusual year, technology has truly saved the day for many in the workforce. Whether doing administrative tasks remotely or ordering groceries from a smartphone, coping with the pandemic would have been much more difficult for people without the current technology. Telehealth services prevented many unnecessary in-person visits to the doctor’s office, avoiding potential exposure to the virus. Many of those who were reluctant to try telehealth initially have become proponents who will probably use the services going forward.
The coronavirus has necessitated many changes to the way companies do business. These adaptations have, in many cases, turned out to be not only successful but more cost-effective. As a result, some are likely to become permanent.
