Top 10 Changes in the Workplace - Impact of COVID-19

A lot has been said about what’s happening with the impact of Covid, on the workplace. Many of these are hard to imagine and some will require serious consideration. Nevertheless, my 20 years plus background in IT, Operations and Consulting across BCP, Security, Projects and Leadership makes me believe the following are what we can be looking forward to (at varying levels) over the next couple of years. Please leave a comment and I would love to hear your thoughts and comments too!

1.       Disinfection Chambers -  You would have to walk into the office through disinfection chambers, entry into the chamber would be post facial and iris recognition for 2 factor biometric contactless authentication.  You could then be tested  for Covid by a nurse through the use of a rapid test kit (Emirates Airline has already deployed the same for airline passengers), there would be a ten minute wait time for the results before you are let into the office. Biomedical Security could be the new discipline added to workplace and real estate operations. Experts would be required to design and implement this new biomedical security policies and processes and help in implementing the projects. 

2.       Death of the Open Office Concept - Open Office will be dead, employees could have individual chambers, though the size may vary based on the role and hierarchy.  Gone will be  the days of talking over your desk to your neighbor or digging into their cookies or lounging in the aisle for the chat. The chambers would be disinfected at regular intervals to keep the office sanitized at all times. More office space will be required for the new ways of working.  

3.       Increased Hiring for New Roles - More hiring will happen for a new set of leaders to consolidate the business post Covid. The leadership style required will be different from the pre covid days. People who are good at remote leadership and delivery will be in high demand.  Organizations will expand rather than contract, many  offsite/offshore specialists will be hired by organizations, interviews and interactions will be digital, there will be nil travel. The workforce will need to adapt to the new office order, those who cannot will perish and will be replaced with a new workforce. 

4.       No more flying or resort visits - Goodbye frequent flyer miles,  high flying executives will be grounded,  town halls will be virtual, thank god it’s Friday binges will die  and no assembly of more  than 10 people will be allowed at any time, more face to face meetings as a risk containments measure. 

5.       Namaste Only - You will never shake hands again while closing a deal, in exceptional cases disinfected gloves could be allowed as a symbolic gesture. 

6.       Secure Communications - Visitors and outsiders to your office would speak to you  through a biologically secure glass panel. No more tea/coffee and biscuits,  again these meetings will be rare all discussions will go digital. 

7.       Water Cooler talks and Restroom Breaks - Body breaks will be one at a time and you will require to go through the disinfection chambers before and after the break. This will be the death of the water cooler rendezvous. 

8.       Pantry No More - The pantry will close down, you may eat in your chamber and disinfection before and after the meal of the chamber will be essential.   You will also be given piped drinks at your desk, no more coffee breaks to the canteen. 

9.       Razor Focused Meetings - Meetings will be short and focused. There would be a mandatory time limit  due the cost of video conferencing and also availability of enough bandwidth. 

10.   Increased Automation - Automation and RPA and real robots will be the helpers in the new office to  replace the office assistants and other repetitive processes.