What should we do differently in the new world

1finny

1finny

Well-known member
Suppose most organisations are looking at ways of working (post pandemic). We are certainly looking at how often we drag people up to Head Office for meetings for instance.
Could be quite a revolution, just wondering what people's views are.
Couple of starters for 10:
My friend is a GP and is now a huge fan seeing some (he thinks most) patients 'virtually'. Clearly need a safety net for the 'vulnerable' and those who need a physical exam of some description.
Legal Eagles talking about doing court cases virtually - seems sensible for the long term too.
 
The huge expense of bricks and motor offices will need addressing. If your staff can work at home then they should do so. Businesses can then better space out those offices that they do retain and you could even go so far as to convert redundant office buildings into residential units and help provide affordable housing in the bigger cities.
All those people not commuting would also lower traffic volumes and so have a long term benefit on the environment.
 
It's a tough one the WFH thing. I used to think I preferred it but not full-time. In previous contracts I've been given a good choice of whether to WFH or not. So if I'm working on things myself I'd stay at home but if I had a mainly meeting day I'd go in.
Professionally I'm getting probably more done right now then when I'm in the office but personally it drives me mental. I miss the human contact. Chatting to people who aren't directly working on my contract. You also learn more about the company, what's going on in other areas. No use for me as a contractor but if I was a staffer this would be important to help enhance my career by understanding more about how the company works or doesn't.
 
There is also the financial benefits accrued due to savings on travel and if your working from home you would probabl make your own lunch rather than popping to shop or cafe etc and buying it.
Many may miss the social interaction and feel isolated working at home which could bring difficulties to some.
 
On a similar theme will this change people’s attitudes to things like travel as now they can’t travel will the “ never really travelled” section of the population out there suddenly gain this wanderlust and start going to places they never really considered.

will it lead to a more fatalist spontaneous society.
 
weststandwally said:
There is also the financial benefits accrued due to savings on travel and if your working from home you would probabl make your own lunch rather than popping to shop or cafe etc and buying it.
Many may miss the social interaction and feel isolated working at home which could bring difficulties to some.
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It’s true as I haven’t filled the car up for almost 2 months !!!
 
zorro_mfc said:
On a similar theme will this change people’s attitudes to things like travel as now they can’t travel will the “ never really travelled” section of the population out there suddenly gain this wanderlust and start going to places they never really considered.

will it lead to a more fatalist spontaneous society.
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I hope so, I firmly believe travel broadens the mind (not going to an all inclusive in Cancun, I mean actual travel to visit countries)

Apart from the above described loneliness of working from home, this is what's affecting me the most. I should be in New York right now. I miss being able to go places.
 
To be honest I think we should be travelling less. I heard yesterday that a cleaner where I work died. She was on a zero hours contract and felt the need to continue working, I presume to put food on her plate and keep a roof over her head. This is in a central government building.
In the last financial crisis the poorest lost 20% of their income, those better off lost 2%. People talk about protecting the economy as if it's done for the benefit of those who earn billions. The economy needs rebalancing.
 
I have always thought with a bit of imagination we could sort the problem of 20 labourers from the north heading south and at the same time 20 labourers from the south heading north. Also east/west. Add sales reps/electricians.plumbers doctors etc multiply by 1000s, think of the savings that could be made.
Not easy but not impossible!
 
Wilf said:
"The economy needs rebalancing." (y)


Pretty much everything...but we wont.
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It will get re balanced alright.
Not the way some of us want though. The next two years, I fear for those in need now and those who aren’t, but will be.
 
Rishi Sunak strongly indicated some balancing in future taxation policy in his last press briefing. Johnson, when asked a similar question, backed off completely from that.
 
Listening to the chances of death from Covid19 along with communities seeing a fall in lifespan we need to seriously look at the distribution of wealth.

We've pushed and pushed to make the country more unequal since the 70s, it's time to reassess the policies of the last four decades.
 
dooderooni said:
The huge expense of bricks and motor offices will need addressing. If your staff can work at home then they should do so. Businesses can then better space out those offices that they do retain and you could even go so far as to convert redundant office buildings into residential units and help provide affordable housing in the bigger cities.
All those people not commuting would also lower traffic volumes and so have a long term benefit on the environment.
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This (y)

Less buildings, less travelling, very limited hot desk provision, get away from the "have to be seen" culture still prevalent, more use of technology to work in an agile manner (to coin the current buzzword, even though it's been around for years). Going into an office should be seen as an exception not the norm.

I appreciate this might not be possible currently in some environments (or ever, in a very small number of cases) but it needs to be worked towards
 
Planning for people coming back, job share , and people may find they have two jobs, one in an office the other doing outsiide work for the local govt. Some people may find who were furloughed may get a shock. One site that had 156 now has space for 72 only. Hot desking is more essential than ever. They will have to change retirement back to 65. 9 till 5 gone, set for evening office workers.
 
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ticker_tape said:
Planning for people coming back, job share , and people may find they have two jobs, one in an office the other doing outsiide work for the local govt. Some people may find who were furloughed may get a shock.
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Yes will agree with that ticker, companies will realise what's needed & not & will unfortunately streemline accordingly
 
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