Is Work from Home the New Normal?

May 19th, 2020

How COVID-19 is Changing the Very Nature of Work

COVID-19 has severely disrupted the working economy. The need for social distancing in the workplace has challenged employers to maintain the health of employees, forcing them to adapt and change the way businesses of all kinds conduct themselves. Those who were working in an office setting are now considered ‘remote’ and have been working from home during the pandemic out of necessity.

As the pandemic drags on, employees are becoming more comfortable with this new way of life. Employers are embracing that remote work might become the new normal and the best way to keep their employees safe and healthy. A challenge with this prospect is how to manage your hiring process remotely.

Social Distancing Will Likely Force Employers to Embrace Working from Home

Social distancing measures could stay in effect until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available around the globe, spelling out major complications for businesses that are either trying to re-enter the market, or continue working through the pandemic.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was estimated that 56% of the American workforce held a job that was partially compatible with remote work. Many pundits have predicted that the longer people are required to work from home, the greater the adoption will be post-COVID-19.

Phone calls and video conferences are likely to become the first choice over in-person meetings. Further, businesses with an open concept office could decide that it is safer to allow employees to work from home rather than renovate an office to adhere to social distancing measures. The risk of bringing back a large workforce to an office setting poses little rewards, especially without a COVID-19 vaccine available.

As managers look to adapt to a post-pandemic world, they will face several challenges with this new normal.

Expected Challenges from a Remote Workforce

The top concern for many managers will be the lack of face-to-face supervision that accompanies a remote workforce. There will be plenty of concerns regarding productivity; however, many studies suggest that workers can be equally, if not more productive while working from home.

There are, unfortunately, some shortcomings to working remotely. For example, a returned email could take longer than a short walk to a coworker's desk, or a simple miscommunication could become an increased issue between coworkers. Also, those with children at home are faced with increased distractions, threatening productivity, and increasing tension between manager and worker.

How to Manage a Remote Workforce with the Push of a Button - PAM™

There are solutions that can help mitigate some of the challenges that managers are now facing with a remote workforce.

Maintain your workforce with PAM™(Pandemic Application Management) and keep open communications with employees to promote productivity, health, and well-being on and off the job site. PAM™ enables both employers and employees to jointly manage a healthy and safe working environment, allowing for revenue continuity while being mindful of the community and vulnerable populations that surround them.

Screen the health of both employees and patrons visiting a job site, monitor employees through GPS tracking and geo-fences, and maintain open lines of communication to ensure that employees remain productive and healthy.

Visit our website to learn more and manage entire workforces with the simple push of a button.