Has coronavirus changed the perceptions of working from home?

The spread of the coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on society in so many ways, but the lockdown has brought a whole new meaning to everyday life. Getting up early and commuting to work is no longer the norm for most working people. Simply throwing on some slippers and heading downstairs to a laptop is the new ‘normal’.

For many years, working from home was labelled as unproductive, difficult and for most businesses, unrealistic. Now, most of the nation is set up working from home, and perceptions are changing.

Some businesses are excelling, selling more products and gaining more publicity than ever for the incredible work they’re doing to help the country during difficult times. Not only that, but with the extra compassion that is being shared for employees with varying circumstances, people are feeling happier and working harder. Could coronavirus start a new working-from-home trend?

What would happen to office spaces?

There is a lot of demand for housing in this country, more importantly, affordable housing. If office spaces were no longer needed, there is the potential that a lot of commercial buildings could be converted into homes. Especially smaller businesses which have sought out and converted residential homes to host their company. This excess space could not only help the national housing crisis but also make better use of existing buildings which can remain empty most of the time.

Flexibility for employees

There’s no doubt that working from home can have its challenges, especially with schools and other childcare facilities closed. However, one benefit from working from home is the ability to adapt a timetable that can work around you. Many people who are currently working from home are seeing an improvement in their productivity but also their mood as they are more comfortable in their home setting.

Environmental benefits

There’s no denying that with people staying at home, the environment is benefitting. There are fewer cars on the roads, trains on the tracks, and more importantly, less people flying across the globes for important meetings that could easily take place over a video call. When the pandemic crisis is over, the focus of the conversation will shift back towards climate change. With all the positive that has already happened with canals clearing up and smog drifting away, there could be a call for working from home to continue.