Looking Ahead at the Future Of Work: Finding the Silver Lining

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The global pandemic has altered the world in nearly every possible way. Workstations moved to living rooms, social lives put on hold, and uncertainty lingers as the pandemic severely impacted us all. The virus quickly swept across the globe to every country and every city in just a few short months. 

 

Looking back to early 2020, it seemed quite horrifying and impossible to combat this crisis. However, living within the pandemic has become the new normal for all of us. As the virus entered India, we believed it would not stay for long. However, it has been over six months, and there is no end in sight. It is time to consider how to move forward and whether this pandemic persists longer than predicted or not. What does the future of work look like in 2021? 

 

Today’s pandemic world seems like a typical Spielberg movie, where the equations of normal are questioned at every hour. Apart from restrictions on physical movement, mental stimulation has also taken a back seat. While staying in isolation away from family and friends, mental health has become another primary concern. Significantly, the work-from-home culture has no defined boundaries and balance between professional and personal life anymore. 

Will remote work be the new normal in the future of work? Yes, it appears that virtual work is here to stay! 

 

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Most companies have already asked their employees to work remotely far into 2021. But is this the best situation, or are we hypothetically assuming the worst to procrastinate the acceptance of change? It is an undeniable fact that the world has altered. The way we work, interact, and life has changed considerably. Alas, there is a silver lining in every situation, including a post-pandemic world. 

 

Digital Transformation Will be the Epitome of Success

 

Unlike decades ago, in which digital transformation was a luxury, it has now become imperative. Modern landscapes and continually changing buying behaviors have left businesses with no choice but to adapt and evolve. Consumers want instant gratification, immediate answers, immediate actions, and immediate results. Therefore, all companies are competing to hand over this luxury to their audience right in their living rooms and bedrooms. High-speed internet connectivity, smartphones, web apps, ultra-modern gadgets, and a zillion options at one touch are just a few digitization features. 

 

Workplaces Will Become More Flexible

 

The majority of companies have made arrangements to deal with their employee absences while remote working. Even the government is planning to formulate new policies to help both employers and employees overcome these situations. Nearly 30% of the workforce would be working remotely by the end of 2021, as per the Global Workplace Analytics report mentioned by Review 42.

 

Retraining Employees Will be Imperative

 

With massive layoffs and job insecurities among workers, companies should view retaining employees as an asset. Businesses are looking to create flat hierarchies where every employee is aware of the cross-job functionality and interlinked tasks rather than just being stuck in one specific area. The more flexible the workforce, the greater opportunities to adapt and thrive.

 

Remote work helps companies save money on transportation and rent while achieving higher productivity. Nearly 40% of companies plan to let their employees work-from-home permanently. While companies are strategizing how to create a distributed workforce, employees are working diligently in order to keep up their jobs and hone their skills. 

 

2020 has changed the future of work, and workplace culture is at the forefront of these changes. The challenges of this year have taught us to value people, the people in our organizations, the people in our communities, and the people in our lives. When you begin to put valuing people into action, you can create a happier, more meaningful workplace and world.  


 

How can your organization thrive in the future of work? DH has created a strategic people plan to help uncover gaps and move your culture into the future. 

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About the Author

Kalyani

Kalyani writes about upcoming technologies like big data, machine learning, virtual reality, AI, and robotics. Her expertise lies in growing business opportunities by market qualified lead generation through inbound and outbound practices. Kalyani works for Sage Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a leading provider of ERP Systems and CRM software to small and mid-sized businesses in India.

You can learn more about her on Twitter | LinkedIn

 

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