5 key Takeaways about WFH& The Future of Work

A survey of over 10,000 workers from all over the world about their experiences and expectations while working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals some pretty interesting predictions for the future of work. While these insights reflect a moment in time, they are a relevant gauge of expectations for real estate executives to strategize around moving forward.

The data represents sentiment from company leaders, managers, and employees.

Important Survey Stats Breakdown:

· 32 Fortune 500 Companies

· Over 10,000 responses

· 18 Countries

· Survey Conducted June 2020 – August 2020

5 key takeaways:

1. Remote Work Looks and Feels Productive

· 90% plus of employees feel productivity is the same or Greater while working from home

2. Remote Work is here to stay

· 85% of employees prefer to work remotely at least 2-3 days per week in the future

3. The Office is here to stay as well

· 60% of participants will return to the office in the future for community and collaboration

4. Real Estate Portfolios may look different going forward

· 43% of participants would consider working from a co-working space provided by their employer closer to their home 2-3 times per week

5. There is no one size fits all for remote policies

· 54% of company leaders prefer a hybrid arrangement for their team, that combines WFH & Office

Conclusion

From an employee perspective, COVID-19 hasn’t impacted productivity as much as expected, but it has certainly shifted the way they think about work and especially the office culture.

For many, the amount of time spent in the office may never return to pre-COVID levels, as employees have not only embraced remote work but have become accustomed to the autonomy that comes with it. However, with a renewed focus on the quality of both the workplace experience and new designs, it is clear the role of the office is still important for companies to maintain.

Regardless of the set-up, the road forward should start with culture and be paved by a data-driven and people-centric approach to change.