Coronavirus: How the world of work may change forever - good read

[malaise]

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201023-coronavirus-how-will-the-pandemic-change-the-way-we-work?at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_campaign=64&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_custom3=BBC+News&at_medium=custom7&at_custom4=1BA5CBB0-1B9C-11EB-8738-D63916F31EAE&fbclid=IwAR0UX0KSvJ0q4Zdr0yscXf4gqqVfawUcYElUS1J502QlL9EFnM3TfYV-q28&fbclid=IwAR3PkkjTcHPcXHcim5DDA8Hnx6vjR2Yzyue9XWrPInyQZg7xlbSvKtzguqU

Amid the upheaval, BBC Worklife spoke to dozens of experts, leaders and professionals across the globe to ask: what are the greatest unknowns we face? How will we work, live and thrive in the post-pandemic future? How is Covid-19 reshaping our world – potentially, forever?

We’ll roll out these important views from some of the top minds in business, public health and many other fields in several articles over the next few weeks. We'll hear from people including Melinda Gates on gender equality, Zoom founder Eric Yuan on the future of video calls, Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler on what’s next in travel and Unesco chief Audrey Azoulay on the ethics of artificial intelligence.

Today, we’re starting by looking at the issue of work: how the pandemic has normalised remote work, and what that might mean. Will we go to the office again – and, if so, how often? What impact will a ‘hybrid’ way of working have on how we communicate, connect and create? Will work-from-home be the great leveller in terms of gender equality and diversity? And what will work mean if our offices are virtual and we lose those day-to-day social interactions?

We’re also examining what happens to people who can’t work from home as well as those whose jobs depend on a steady flow of traffic into urban hubs. Can we learn from Covid-19 and build better safety nets for the most vulnerable workers? And if the future is digital, how do we make sure swathes of the global population aren’t left behind?

Way more at link

[SheltieLover]

1. Ty, Malaise

Interesting.

[jcgoldie]

2. As a HS teacher...

I'm already lamenting the demise of "snow days"

[onecaliberal]

3. I work for a school district. Business support staff were brought back in June.

We’re not allowed to work remotely. Even at school sites where there are no kids.

[underpants]

4. Conferences may well be a thing of the past

I used to put together conferences for up to 400 people. Rooms, food, meeting rooms. I wonder if we’ll ever get back to those and how will the hotel industry adapt.

[malaise]

7. Did a few of those in my time

I am just glad I retired before this mess.

[unblock]

9. I think that will return to normal once Covid is behind us

Maybe the hand sanitizers and masks will continue. But there's no substitute for these things, or sporting events or live concerts.

[underpants]

10. Well they are a great team builder and a reward

for employees to get out of the office but they are expensive. The conference I did for 400 people had a budget well over $100k. Zoom meetings are much cheaper.

Hotels are built for these and it’s a big part of their revenue.

[lunatica]

5. I've been trying hard to imagine what will happen

how COVID will change the world and society in fundamental ways. The longer COVID forces us to shut down the more likely things will have to change in order to stay relevant. I’ve always been an avid science fiction fan so big societal structural changes have always interested me.

Thanks for posting this!

[unblock]

6. I am very fortunate to work in an industry that can work fine remotely

We help fund financing for global companies, so our work has always been largely online, by phone and email.

Plus, we've long had disaster drills where we would simulate everyone working from home to prepare for something like a hurricane preventing people from getting to the office.

We didn't expect a pandemic, but we were in any event well prepared for it.

We've already discussed making some of this arrangement permanent. Maybe people will only come in as needed for meetings or maybe 2-3 days a week.

Personally I think commercial real estate is going to be a sucky investment for a long time....

[malaise]

8. You are clearly ready for this

Agree re commercial real estate

[unblock]

11. I know it sucks for many people in many lines of work

But for us introverts who can continue working, it's working out great. I get more sleep than I ever did thanks to no commute. And expenses are way down with no travel or eating out or impulse shopping.

I'd love it if it weren't for this damn empathy I have for all the other people who are not coping as well....

[malaise]

12. LOL

Gas stations must be feeling it this year - we're all driving a lot less.

[unblock]

13. Indeed, I don't even get a full tank anymore

I only drive maybe twice a month now!

I recently got a oil change, it was overdue (mostly from driving December through February) and I could tell his idle they were because scheduling was a breeze. Instead of a lengthy back and forth to find a time slot that worked, it was pretty much, "when can you come in... ok!"

[lunatica]

14. That's the silver lining right there!

The oil industry might be feeling the doldrums even as the atmosphere is clearing up. Poor guys!