The Future of Office

In his book, “The Future of the Office: Work from Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face,” Professor Peter Cappelli says “the choices employees and employers must make about the future of work could be among the most important they face.” 

(Source: What’s the Future of the Office? – Knowledge@Wharton (upenn.edu)  

Cappelli correctly states, “we don’t know how well things worked during the pandemic’s WFH phase.”

Professor Cappelli is right.  It is time for us to ponder the “Future of Work.”

While many employees and businesses felt that WFH was great, others were not so enthusiastic.  For one, many businesses were not prepared to set up their employees for WFH protocols – equipment, security, reporting and directions.  It took time for businesses to figure these important variables.  May employees also were not fully prepared to work from home, did not always have the right work environment at home, did not have clear mandates and directions, and were unable to juggle work with home responsibilities and leisure time.

I also see many EMPTY office buildings and office parks.  What does it mean for the future of commercial real estate?  How can we incentivize businesses to expand, re-start and fill these vacant office buildings? What will it take to fill empty office and commercial buildings?

There are many questions to consider as we enter the post-pandemic phase: the future of commercial real estate, telework and WFH protocols, the need for employee interactions, the role of the manager/leader, and customer service.  Not all industries can embrace WFH, and others cannot allow remote work for various reasons.  

Business is important; businesses are the foundation of our economy.  Work-life balance is also important – it is important for employee health and morale.  Let us consider a few options: 1). 1-day WFH (rest in the office). 2). Ten-hour work days with a day off each week. 3). A. 28-day holiday plan for employees, with the requirement that no more than 14 days can be taken at a time. 4). Lower commercial lease rates, since facilities will require less maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps a government rent-subsidy can facilitate this.  

There are other options, and I would like to see your suggestions and comments.

Respectfully, 

Pradeep Ganguly, Ph.D.