Disaster resilience

The millennial perspective

“Millennials are defined in part by their technological adeptness, their rejection of rigid corporate structures, and
their propensity for flexible work environments.” ( Rusinowitz, E. 2020)
When the Pandemic hit worldwide back in 2020, the word resilient has been redefined by the situations we faced.
We couldn’t have fathom the challenges we encountered. Enumerated are the ways we could elevate our
understanding to the word resilient in the perspective of a millennial, in workplaces by Rusinowitz, E.(2020)

1. Embrace Technology
Improved technology can help make for a near seamless transition to working remote, which as we’ve
learned, can become necessary whether or not it is company policy. Being able to access files remotely with as
much ease as if you were in the office will help keep business running through the next emergency situation.
In addition to using technology to prepare staff for the possibility of remote work in the future, technology
can be employed to make our physical workplaces safer. Touchless technology can help prevent the spread of germs
within the office. Consider using apps for guest check-in and wayfinding, rather than a shared touchpad station.
Voice-enabled technologies (think Siri and Alexa) can be utilized for controlling your environment (like HVAC and
lighting), and face recognition software can replace card-swipe security systems, helping to mitigate the risks
involved with sharing space in a post-pandemic world. Investing in technology will help prepare staff to be more
flexible in the future, and make the workplace safer as we transition back into shared spaces again. And as an
additional benefit, companies that embrace technology will have a better time attracting millennials to work there. The
tech-dependent generation expects sufficient technology in their workplaces so they can have the tools they need to do
their jobs most efficiently.
2. Develop a Remote Work Policy and Strategy
Remote work isn’t suitable for every company or role. But every company should develop a detailed policy
around remote work that is clearly communicated to staff. Staff should understand why that policy best benefits
the company. Whether your organization’s remote work policy is one of complete flexibility or a policy of zero-
tolerance, there should always be a plan made for situations where staff physically can’t get to the office.

3. Encourage Mobility
A great way to prepare staff for the possibility of remote work once we’ve returned to the office is to
encourage mobility within the office. One way to do this is to create destinations – different types of work
environments – throughout the office. These can be spaces for casual collaboration, soft seating for work away
from the general work area, or lounge seating for R&R. Getting employees in the practice of moving about throughout
their day, being productive in a range of work environments, will make possible transitions to work from home a little
less jarring. Further, just as the transition to working from home has been difficult for many to manage, the transition
back into working in the office will be an adjustment as well.

4. Maximize Space Efficiency

Companies that choose to return to the office may require additional space as they try to adopt social-
distancing guidelines; spacing workstations at least six feet apart, managing large groupings of employees, etc.

Rusinowitz, E. (2020, May 21). CEU Webinar: Environmental Strategies to Mediate Post-Pandemic Stress in the

Workplace. Work Design Magazine. https://www.workdesign.com/2020/05/building-resilient-workplaces-by-

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