In just a few months the coronavirus pandemic has changed the daily lives of people all around the world. The economic impact of the virus has led to the new categorisation of key workers, many employees having to move to remote working and an increasing number of people being furloughed. 

According to The Telegraph, up to two million workers have lost their jobs as the coronavirus crisis strikes the biggest blow to British employment on record. 

As lockdown continues, people are adapting to the new normal by working from their sofa and communicating with their team via video calls. Many may find themselves in this situation for the long haul, as businesses struggle to find a path forward while restrictions slowly lift.

But what other changes may we see in the months or even years to come? I’ve been asking myself this question and wanted to share my thoughts and predictions with you. 

Dolly Parton’s standard 9-5 could become the thing of the past…

As professionals juggle the demands of work and home life at the same time, many employers have relaxed rules about workers starting and ending their days at a set time. This has built trust and respect and I think the way employers move forward will be less time bound. 

Whether this is operated in a set number of hours worked from home or a hot desk system, I think the standard 9-5 will be diminished by many companies. 

Fewer face to face meetings…

People have become more technologically savvy because they’ve had no choice but to learn. Working from home has had its challenges so many have had no other option but to adapt by using new tech systems. 

I think this will change the way in which people share information within their workplace and reduce the need for as many face to face meetings and utilise emails and video calls more. 

Business travel could reduce...

As travel of all kinds is put on hold, many companies attempt to cut costs and balance their budgets by using video and phone calls as opposed to business trips.

During this time, many businesses may realise that some business travel is unnecessary. Organisations may attempt to recoup their pandemic-related losses by cutting travel budgets.

Working from home could become a recruitment advantage...

It’s no secret that a lot of the current generation have a different mind set when it comes to working. They tend to aim to live for a lifestyle choosing work life balance over a job title. 

Making a living through a virtual business so they can work when they choose to, starting creative businesses so they can travel and work from anywhere in the world, walking dogs so they are not bound to working 9-5, becoming virtual assistance etc. 

Now that many have had a taste of remote working, this may become the new normal and preference of all ages. Job seekers may consider it a draw to work for a company with a physical location, which could boost brand awareness and overall influence within their industry.

Empty office buildings…

As companies look to reduce their expenditure to help them back on their feet after the pandemic, one of the obvious things that could be diminished is their rental costs. 

Now that businesses know it is possible to work remotely, I think many will change their business structure and choose to do this permanently. This will leave many offices unused and many property owners out of pocket. 

Relationships could strengthen...

Before the pandemic, the ability to see colleagues daily was probably taken for granted and not appreciated how valuable this was. I think lockdown has made everyone really consider how important relationships and human contact is. 

Workplace friendships could flourish among colleagues who relied on each other during the pandemic and got to know one another on a more personal level. There will probably be fewer sad desk lunches and more social events outside of work. 

Whether I'm right or wrong, there's no doubt that the future of work will be different in some way. Let's just go with and hold the positive memories out of the pandemic in a special place to look back on.