The new normal work life

It used to be the case that work was a place we would naturally go to every day. Many professions now view work as something that can be done from anywhere. At many companies, digitalisation has rapidly accelerated over a short period of time. Meetings in front of a computer screen are already an everyday occurrence, and in the future, we’ll be checking in using more senses than just our vision and hearing. Maybe we’ll participate in virtual reality meetings as avatars, or as robots that can physically move around the room and even mingle in this new hybrid office environment.

The future of the office is being discussed and challenged. When we’re able to once again return to the workplace, we will need to have an important discussion about what an office actually is, and also what it must consist of, both emotionally and practically, to appeal to our new habits. The office has always been the framework for both culture and belonging, but now there will also be a discussion about what the space is actually supposed to contribute to the organisation.

Flexible hours, nine-to-five, traffic jams, and lunch between noon and one in an overcrowded eatery are not things we want to come back. Studies have shown that people ages 30–39 have found it most agreeable to work from home during the pandemic because it has made it easier for them to achieve a good work-life balance. The option to choose to work from home in some capacity will become the new normal. Additionally, the time has also come for the real breakthrough of the “workation”, bringing your job with you on vacation and mixing work with pleasure.

Remote work has made it possible to live in one place and have your office somewhere completely different. Many can tolerate longer commutes if they only need to come into work now and then, as opposed to every day. A kind of professional nomad lifestyle for longer or shorter periods of time is also something we will see more of. The nomad life might be best suited to seniors who have an established professional network and feel secure in the company culture.

Once we actually get to the office, it will become more common for our workplaces to be controlled through voice commands, apps, and sensors. The elevators are voice-controlled and apps open doors to prevent us from having to touch the same surfaces as other people.

Many offices and conference rooms will be left empty, and the creative possibilities for what to do with them will be huge. One solution is time share; companies allow others to book, lease, and use the premises during times when they do not need them themselves.