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According to the most recent results for the Occupancy Index, there has been a 30% reduction in the number of office workers returning to the office in downtown Toronto since imposition of the latest lockdown. In addition, employers are becoming more concerned about what the return to the office will look like.
Work from home literally began overnight but the return will not be as straightforward. CEOs, human resources professionals and facilities managers have all been learning and adapting throughout this enforced period of working from home. Balancing the benefits of office culture, in-person collaboration, the reality that some work simply cannot be done at home with the benefits many have discovered by working at home is creating tough decisions.
Serious challenges are emerging:
The dynamics of recruitment are changing.
Suburban and downtown employers alike face the complex problem of managing employee density to accommodate social distancing norms while also allowing for the use of common facilities in office buildings.
For some, the home environment is not conducive to a home office even though it is technically possible based solely on the nature of the job.
A partial return – where some staff come into the office, but others work from home is a logistical nightmare.
What changes to premises are short-term and what changes will need to be permanent?
Downtown employers face the additional complexities of persuading staff that it is safe to take public transit.
The strain on transit planners to avoid “crush hour” will be enhanced by irregular and unpredictable return.
These are just some of the issues facing the return to a new normal.
To help address these challenges, SRRA is planning a Forum in the week of February 22nd where experts and practitioners can exchange ideas and discuss strategies in advance of the anticipated lifting of restrictions to allow a safe return to the office.
Notice and an invitation to this Forum will be sent by January 21st.
Links to Articles of Interest
Click to Read - A pre-Pandemic view of how large corporations viewed working from home
Click to Read - An historical perspective on working from home
Click to Read - A summary of insights into how leading tech companies view the future of work from home
Click to Read - Xerox surveyed its customers to present its vision for ‘the future of work’
Click to Read - HR specialist ADP Canada surveyed its customer base to better understand telework
Click to Read - Britain’s PM is bullish on post-pandemic future for offices
Click to Read - Insights into remote work from a U.S. perspective
Click to Read - Practical advice on striking a balance between safety and efficiency
Click to Read - Thoughtful review of trends affecting on-line activity
Click to Read - Richard Florida misses an opportunity to speak knowledgeably about Toronto