COVID-19 and the Workplace: Implications, Issues, and Insights for Future Research and

Action

My first key takeaway from the article is practitioners who are mapping out future
strategies to meet the needs of vulnerable categories of employees must have a solid
understanding of how these abruptly emergent changes develop. Workers who live alone, for
example, could have very different virtual working requirements and habits than those who live
with family. Additionally, less participative and empathic team leaders may find it harder to
motivate their members in virtual environments, and as a result, need alternative training and
growth. Occupational health specialists should be taught to spot mental health difficulties in
remote working populations and be ready to provide online assistance and therapy. Finally, HR
professionals must build new performance management and appraisal systems in order to deal
with distant working populations.

The second key takeaway from the article is the pace of change related to working
outside of co-located offices suddenly increased with COVID-19. As businesses realize the cost
savings from structuring labor with fewer full-time employees and more technologically
connected contractors, as well as possibly with less office space given the health risks associated
with traditional open-plan offices, virtual work practices are likely to become more prevalent.
The difficulties facing those who work in this fashion are obvious: more of us will have to learn
to do our jobs in very different ways from those of past generations. Workers will be retrained or
laid off as many enterprises around the world will be reorganized or shut down as a result of the
pandemic, with significant financial, social-psychological, and health implications.

The third key takeaway from the article is since COVID-19 is primarily a hazard to
global health, it is distinct and necessitates a unique set of adaptive solutions. Therefore, we need
to build theories on how various threats and crises from around the world affect workplaces in
various ways. We are aware that infectious diseases have frequently occurred over the course of
human evolution and have had an unexpected yet predictable impact on our psychology,
behavior, and society. Infectious disease concerns like COVID-19 must be acknowledged as part
of the working environment because we now live and work in communities that are
interdependent on one another globally. We must create better and safer ways to collaborate if
we want to keep enjoying the benefits of international cooperation.
 13 Ways the coronavirus pandemic could forever change the way we work

The first key takeaway from the article is instead than having the majority of their
personnel in a single central office, businesses may build regional hubs or offer access to co-
working spaces wherever their employees are based. As a result, corporate headquarters can start
to serve as a status symbol for businesses with enough resources and employees to justify paying
high rent in a big metropolis. Job candidates might find it appealing to work for a company with
a physical location, which could increase brand recognition and overall industry influence.

The second key takeaway from the article is the pandemic has served as a sort of
technology equalizer, forcing those who weren't previously accustomed to using tech tools at
work to make the necessary adjustments. Additionally, workers are sometimes getting more
productive. Simply because they had to and those best practices will continue to be used, people
have been more patient in learning new technologies and interacting with them. I believe that
everyone is growing new muscles to work digitally. As a result, anticipate a generally more
flexible approach to working and interacting with coworkers: More meetings will be replaced by
emails, and more emails will be replaced by instant messages. Calls and meetings may switch to
video for team members who no longer collaborate in a single office.

The third key takeaway from the article is large group events like conferences and
conventions will be constrained for the foreseeable future due to shifting consumer preferences
and a rise in interest in social seclusion, while business travel will forever decline. Furthermore,
anticipates that businesses will discover during this period that some business travel is
unnecessary and can be accomplished through virtual meetings. Additionally, he notes that travel
budgets will be reduced as firms try to make up for their pandemic-related losses. Agile
workspaces with open chairs will become less common. Workers will desire the security and
control of having a private room they may clean frequently and visit daily or seldom. Expect to
see more touchless equipment in communal places, like voice-activated elevator banks,
automatic sinks and soap dispensers, and door sensors.