On the 22nd of September, a month after starting a campaign to get people back in the office, Boris Johnson announced that we should again work from home for the next six months.
Another six months feels like a long time. It’s the same length as we’ve already worked from home, this time over autumn and winter, not spring and summer! When I heard the news, a feeling of dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed working from home, and Tapestry has helped us adapt to pandemic life pretty well. We have daily catch up calls, with a new chair every day so everyone can have their voices heard, and we also have Friday drinks and quizzes.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
I’ve also learnt the positives of working from home. Not commuting means I now have roughly two hours back in my day. I’m also saving money by not buying my lunch every day!
Working from home brings a level of freedom – not being tied to bus or train timetables, more flexible hours (at least, where the company trusts people to do so, unlike for some).
But when working from home is enforced, it loses some of the appeal.
Both personally and professionally, I miss being in a full office. The social interaction, having lunch, walking to meetings, going to the pub after work – all the things that really create a collegiate bond and leads to better coherence and understanding – just can’t be replaced virtually.
I’ve found that I usually learn the most from simply being in the office and overhearing conversations, listening in to something I’m not even working on, or being invited to watch someone’s work process over their shoulder.
Those interactions will now need to be replaced, but there is only so much that can be done to combat this. There needs to be a keener awareness of how younger members of the team are getting on. A quick check-in every now and then goes a long way!
Young researchers are undoubtedly missing out on these learning opportunities, and those joining the industry also have the unenviable task of no prior office interactions.
A GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
I don’t think permanent working from home will become the norm post-COVID-19, especially for younger researchers. The main reason is economic. Most people my age don’t have a foot on the property ladder. They are more likely to be living with friends, or living at home, and they probably won’t have separate sleeping, living and working areas.
I’ve learned over the past few months that having a definite border between those three areas of your life is important to keep mentally healthy. When they blur into one you can be left feeling burnt out.
While young researchers may have a few more days working at home than they did before, I think most will see the importance of regular office attendance in future.
THE IDES OF MARCH
So, what needs to happen to tempt young researchers back before we have a vaccine? In the “back to work” drive last month, we saw companies introduce policies which ranged from paying £55 a day towards transport, to free testing kits, to free breakfast and lunch.
There is no hard and fast rule as to what will work – we all have different needs.
Some will only care about safety, either in the office or on the journey. Demonstrating a seriousness about social distancing and cleanliness within the office environment is one step.
Travelling to work will be another concern—my old commute was on a train where I was either lucky or late to get a seat—and while subsidised taxis may be a help, it is clearly not sustainable long term. Another way to tackle this is with more flexibility in office hours, so people don’t have to travel at peak times.
Flexibility is going to be key in the future. Companies that understand their workers’ needs and tailor their response will undoubtedly see more loyalty and, I believe, productivity.
HOME TRUTHS
Unless the nature of the work demands it, I don’t think we’re ever going to see the entire workforce in the office five days a week. COVID-19 has accelerated the demand for flexible working, including at home, to the point where it just doesn’t make sense to have everyone in the office at the same time.
Young researchers aren’t that complicated. They have needs and worries, and companies need to make more effort to understand them and offer support where they can. Only then will we find a “new normal” (I hate that phrase) office environment.
