Editor's Note

With work, workforce and workplace undergoing a drastic transformation today, what will the future workplace look like? If reports and surveys are to be believed, several big organizations are planning to let majority of their staff work from home permanently, even after the pandemic. How many people will want to work in an office once the pandemic is over and restrictions are lifted? 

What previously seemed like inherently safe work environments have been transformed by the pandemic into potentially threatening ones – with many workers fearful of returning to work. With employees counting on their companies to help them get back to work safely, there are several elements HR teams should consider when reshaping workplaces for the post-Covid era. To learn more about how HR teams and employers must work together to provide workplaces that prioritize employee safety, confidence and trust, and a feeling of connectedness among coworkers, read Mary Barroll and Brendan Howard’s article, Designing A Modern Workplace For A Post-Pandemic Reality.

For most of 2020, the greatest challenge we faced was whether to reopen, and if so, under what conditions. With the realization that we will never return to the January, 2020 “normal,” our greatest challenge is to reimagine what the new normal for the workplace will look like. Jobs are disappearing. Whole segments of the economy, like transportation, hospitality, and more are being redefined. Global work is in decline. In this context, what will the new workplace culture look like? Dr. Edward Marshall’s article, What Is The “New Normal” For The Workplace? throws more light on this topic.

Many workers report working from home is less stressful and distracting, and makes them more productive. However, to what degree will companies move to an online workforce? And how can we plan for changes that are continuing to unfold before our eyes? Read Ken Crowell’s article, 3 Ways Employers Can Plan For The New Normal, for more insights.

Led by HR, organizations need to fully embrace a digital employee experience and develop a clear vision for getting there. The design of work into the future needs to be curated across both virtual and physical spaces as collaboration will inevitably involve a mixture of both. To know how Covid-19 is shaping a digital-by-default workplace, read Laura Smith’s article, Developing Post-Covid Workspaces.

In brief, if employers are looking forward to have employees back in office, efficient strategies to make workplaces more humane, relaxed, and safe need to be adopted. To learn more about how organizations are planning to redesign workspaces and what the new normal will look like, read this issue of HR Strategy & Planning Excellence. 

We hope you enjoy reading all articles and get back to us with your valuable feedback and comments.