Returning to work after lockdown

Returning to work after lockdown

As lockdown restrictions lift, many companies are looking at different approaches for their staff to return to the workplace. While some businesses would like to return to an office centric working environment, others have decided to take on the new normal – a hybrid approach, writes Larry Dignan in his article in ZDNET ‘Work’s new normal takes shape and some companies will botch it.’

As lockdown restrictions ease, some of the biggest tech companies are trying different methods on returning their staff to the office.

• Google are expecting some of their US workers to return to the office full time. After 1 September, staff who would like to work remotely for more than 14 days a year need to formally apply for approval.
• Amazon also plans to have an office centric culture as they believe it allows them to invent, collaborate, and learn together most effectively.
• Microsoft are favouring a hybrid approach.
• Salesforce will have most of their employees around the globe in the office 1-3 days a week.

According to a global survey ran by Qualtrics, findings were:

• Managers said 55% of their direct reports have been more productive working remotely.
• Flexible schedules and a lack of commuting time were the biggest productivity boosters, but control over workspace, focus, and more privacy was also big.
• Hybrid work force model was highly favoured. Only 27% of workers want to go back to the office full time, but only 7% want to work from home full time. Overall, 73% of workers want to work remotely one or two days a week.
• 46% want work layouts to change to include quiet and private workspaces, more flexible meeting areas, and more space between desks.
• Business travellers want to travel. 61% of workers want to return to their previous amount of travel or more and 18% want to travel less.
• A Robert Half study found that 49% of workers wanted a hybrid work arrangement. Many workers said they were concerned about relationships with co-workers and career advancement if they were completely remote.
• According to Robert Half, one in three workers would look for a new job if they were required to be in the office full time.

With the shift towards a hybrid workforce model, to assist staff and companies to return to the office, CMS Engage was developed.

What is CMS Engage?

CMS Engage is a smart workplace technology solution, digitalising the seamless interactions between employees and the workplace.

How can CMS Engage assist staff in returning to the office?  

Combining intelligent hardware with powerful software:

• Staff can reserve their space anywhere and anytime via a booking app.
• Staff can preview, book and check-in to available and safe-to-use workspaces i.e., workstations, conferencing, collaborative, and quiet spaces.
• Automated touch-less check-in via Bluetooth or QR via the booking app.

How can CMS Engage assist businesses?

Combining intelligent hardware with powerful software:

• Administrators can monitor occupancy levels and implement social distancing measures by deactivating workstations.
• Live digital floorplans can be accessed by maintenance team to dispatch cleaners to administer services and mark cleaned spaces as safe and available to book again.

For more information on CMS Engage, please contact 1300 159 159 or sales@cmselectra.com.