We’re ditching the 9-5, and reinventing the wheel. What are our expectations from our work-life post lockdown?
It’s no secret that all management across Australia is in discussion around ‘how to bring their employees back into the office’. From reluctance to location, value and productivity, we’ve discovered key pressing insights around how Covid has impacted people’s relationships with work - and there are expectations we are ALL bringing to our post lockdown, 9-5.
Covid has caused a permanent shift in the perception of work.
A global survey of 5,000 employees conducted by McKinsey suggests that the workplace requires a fundamental shift toward a Hybrid model. “The return to the workplace is a chance to create a new, more effective operating model that works for companies and people navigating a world of increasing uncertainty.” (ref 0) This has profound impacts for businesses and property managers and will require imaginative and flexible solutions.
The concerns, the factors, the people, the change.
If a third of McKinsey’s survey respondents have claimed that their return to work has negatively impacted their mental health, employers need to understand why. Mental health must play a vital part in the consideration of a holistic on-site return plan to reduce stress and anxiety for their workers. So how do you cultivate inclusive workplaces that cover the physical safety in post-pandemic operations, focuses on mental health and wellbeing, whilst ensuring productivity?
We need to factor in all different situations of home and lifestyle.
Employees with children at home who need to organise other care,
Employees who need to consider the travel time to and from work. Public transport. Peak traffic. Parking costs. Exposure to the community.
A need to change routines (again),
The mental state of minds with a rise in anxiety, depression, distress and suicide.
Isolation and loneliness with no physical interaction during the lockdown,
The time we’ve been given to balance and prioritise self needs.
Employees want to hold on to the ability to work remotely
But employees also value and appreciate the in-office interactions, access and value.
Employees miss having an office so much that nearly two-thirds (64%) would be willing to pay out of their own pockets for access to an office space.
The Solution? The Hybrid Model.
The Hybrid model delivers a solution for better work-life balance, less stress, and greater schedule management and control. Where days of the week are carefully planned and managed to ensure all aspects of responsibilities are met. From better time management and higher levels of engagement, the overall result of increase in productivity, lower real estate costs, retention and satisfaction are all killed with one stone.
So how do we approach the official shift into this Hybrid Model? There is a four step approach that Purely Polished have identified. Covering the phases from engagement, reassurance, the physical return, and convenient flexibility, we are here to push corporate boundaries and drive focus to a sustainable, work/life balance in the lives of all employees, however, we don’t come empty-handed as we give you our Purely Polished take on a strategic approach that’s tailored to an evolving need.
This is where Purely Polished comes into play.
The ultimate goal of the hybrid model is to inject a Seamless & Integrated Lifestyle into the culture of your business. We are here with a one-stop shop of beauty and wellness services to cater for the overall wellness in all facets of life. With an agile and responsive approach towards the forever changing environment within corporate and workplaces, we are here to challenge organisations to think outside of the box and start implementing value-added benefits to the workplace in order to enhance the overall happiness and wellness of its culture.
From routine massage visits, the hire of services for events and campaigns via pop up booths and stations, classes and workshops with our talented and tailored community of professionals, the list is endless!
Leading companies and brands are already in the works with us to make their Hybrid plan come to life! Join the movement and get in touch with Purely Polished to see just what we can do for you.
References:
McKinsey Quarterly July 2021 https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/figures-show-how-cbd-office-markets-can-bounce-back-from-crisis-1078857/“The future of work is hybrid” - wework 2021 - page 4
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/05/hybrid-working-your-office-future/ “The future of work is hybrid” - wework 2021 - page 11
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/mental-health-impact-of-covid-19
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/returning-to-work-keys-to-a-psychologically-safer-workplace