“We’re in uncharted territory,” said CBRE Senior Vice President Lisa Fulford Roy, who heads the company’s Canadian Workplace Strategy Practice.

“We’re going through the initial triage stage right now and the real concern remains our health. Companies wanting to support a flexible workforce must set their people up for success. And that could include something as simple as proper ergonomics at home.”

It all sounds simple. Yet despite the fact technology has made remote work possible for years, most companies haven’t looked at the work-from-home idea as a long-term concept.

“We’re seeing how important tech is. Companies that didn’t invest in technology are now experiencing big challenges processing work and maintaining connectivity with remote workforces,” she said. “I don’t think it’ll ever go back the way it was.”

On the home front, succeeding in the new normal can begin with something as simple as an adequate home office.

According to Fulford Roy, weeks spent working with a less-than-ideal office setup (an inadequate chair or desk/household noise and distractions) could lead to a drop in productivity and, in extreme cases, physical discomfort and injuries.

That’s not just the workers' problem. It affects the whole business.

“This needs to be top-of-mind for organizations now and post-COVID-19,” she said. “Companies wanting to support a flexible workforce must set their people up for success.”

Working from home has also spurred a realignment of priorities.

“We’re realizing that we need to set boundaries around our work. So, we’ll likely see more work-life balance expectations from employees going forward,” Fulford Roy said.

“It’s a good thing for many. Working from the home empowers employees and their bosses as well. For some individuals, this works, and it could be permanent.”

Read more at: https://www.bisnow.com/toronto/news/office/businesses-adapt-to-new-normal-of-working-from-home-personal-space-104026?utm_source=CopyShare&utm_medium=Browser