As an Australian, it must be a relief to be able to go out again post lockdown. Something as simple as going to work might start to feel amusing. The majority of the world shifted to working in an online space during the pandemic.
During this time, the importance of commercial cleaning services and online web spaces increased significantly.
While many speak in favour of online working spaces, there might be some “hidden” benefits to having a physical working space. So here on, we are going to look at certain such benefits.
Employer’s Best Friend – a Moving in Checklist
Before we look at the ways in which physical offices benefit you, it is vital to consider understanding the necessities of the post-pandemic world. Here are two essential things you might need to consider in this new era.
● Commercial Cleaning Service
The first and the most crucial step to take is to hire a trustworthy commercial cleaning service. The goal is to sanitise every single nook and cranny of your office space, from your lobby to car parking and your bathrooms to floors, desks, and garden. This is about the health and safety of you and your employees, so make sure you hire someone who will protect you like a family.
● Sick Leave Policy
Now might be an excellent time to take a step back and look at your leave policy. With the pandemic making us understand the priority of our health, giving employees the confidence to adhere to dire circumstances will create an atmosphere of loyalty.
Importance of Office Spaces
The entire world has moved online, leading us to more engage in a digital space now than ever. While it has been a boon for a lot of businesses and commercial industries to move online, dismissing traditional office spaces just yet might be a mistake.
1. An Experience
Physical office spaces have more than four walls. Alongside a place for working, they advocate an experience of your brand. A physical space where a customer can touch, see and feel your brand acts as a signifier of legitimacy. It develops a sense of trust and a real relationship between you and your customer. A physical space communicates your identity and values.
2. With Relaxation Comes Inspiration
A physical office helps employees create a better distinction between their work life and their personal life. It is very important to have this distinction to relax your mind and return to your work with clarity.
Similarly, simply stepping out to grab a coffee with a peer or banter with your boss can help employees boost creativity. Interacting with peers keeps one engaged, which might lead to inspiration.
3. Building Relationships
Online spaces require a lot of effort in terms of communication. It is a cycle of hopping from one meeting to another.
Online spaces oftentimes make communication more tedious than it needs to be. When talking about little things consumes so much energy, employees often do not wish to engage in conversations outside of office work.
Having a physical office space creates a balance between online and in-person methods of communication. This leads peers to communicate better and form stronger relationships.
Summing Up
Online spaces are perfectly functional, but it is vital to consider offline spaces’ benefits. But before you shift back to physical offices, hire a good cleaning service, practice empathy, and go in with an open mind!
As the world adapts to the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses have been finding ways to keep their employees productive while remaining socially-distanced. Working from home has been an effective alternative to traditional office spaces for many, but as the pandemic continues, the importance of a physical office space is becoming increasingly apparent. In light of this, there are several key points of consideration for businesses discussing the merits of in-person office space post-pandemic.
First and foremost, in-office work settings allow for invaluable face-to-face interaction with colleagues and superiors. This interaction is an essential part of the working experience and can serve to boost morale, and improve communication between staff members. Meeting face-to-face also makes it easier to spot issues surrounding a project or process and oftentimes serves to stimulate creative ideas and collaboration that would otherwise be limited in a virtual setting. Additionally, research has shown that employees are more productive and are more likely to reach goals in an office setting compared to remote working.
Another important consideration when debating the merits of office spaces is the challenge of maintaining virtual mental health support in remote working settings. While Zoom and other remote communication platforms have their advantages, more personal methods of mental health support are more successfully delivered in-person. This can be especially beneficial to those workers that have been negatively affected by loneliness or anxiety while operating remotely.
Finally, one must consider the fundamental human need for connection and community. Working outside of a traditional office space can be isolating, and many companies are beginning to include balance activities such as team-building or virtual drinks nights to maintain morale. Though these activities are creative and thoughtful, these connections are strengthened and further solidified when experienced in a physical space.
In conclusion, the decision to return to office-based working should not be taken lightly. Employers must actively take the time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of remote versus in-person work settings, while also displaying a sense of care and respect to their employees. Doing so will not only allow businesses to make the most informed decision, but also ensure that working conditions are as healthy, productive and enjoyable as possible for all.
