The global coronavirus pandemic has taught us to be flexible, adapt to changes and to be resilient. The pandemic has been the biggest game-changer of the century or perhaps even in the history of mankind.

The sudden lockdowns shook everyone. Businesses suffered a setback. It seemed like an endless battle. While uncertainty loomed over the situation, many companies resorted to work-from-home, thanks to the digital age and technological advancements; others followed suit. And while everyone thought remote working was here to stay for good, the situation began improving, the COVID positive numbers began plummeting and markets began opening.

Employers began calling some of the staff whose presence was needed in the office while the rest worked from home or came to the office occasionally. Thus began a new work culture – the hybrid work culture. Certain sectors like manufacturing and the service sector could not work remotely. They resumed their normal work pattern to keep their businesses rolling.

The pandemic has changed the way we perceive our professional lives. Today, it is mostly a hybrid work pattern. Flexibility has become acceptable, affordable and productive for both employers and employees to propel their businesses ahead.

Another change that became strikingly visible was employee well-being. Post-COVID, employee well-being is one of the top priorities for employers to retain employees.

While onsite employees are the most preferred lot when it comes to perks and promotions, business houses are trying to overcome their bias and support the remote talent.

Most employees are looking for remote or hybrid work. Surveys show that hybrid working has improved performance. Employees are also likely to stay in the organization if the work is flexible. Monitoring employees is no longer difficult with advanced technologies. Employee-monitoring tools were popular even before the pandemic. What helped the world sustain in their personal and professional lives during the uncertain times and the lockdowns is technology. Technology is here to stay and keep advancing, pandemic or no pandemic. Everyone needs to adopt the newer ways of functioning to survive in this volatile world.

New applications and programs, innovations and enhancements have been made in the digital work to ease things for people. With the use of technologies, the concept of co-working also assumed importance. Whether it is hybrid working, co-working spaces or digitalization, these are here to stay.

The question is – now that life has become normal; are we ready to accept the new style of working or would prefer the traditional 8-hour brick and mortar set-up?