How is the work atmosphere/environment going to change once we move back to going to the office?

I went back to my office in NYC and I don't know what it is, but people forgot volume control. Everyone is yelling on Zoom as if they were talking on cell phones in the 90's.

For a while, it is going to feel weird when someone is either too close or puts out their hand to shake. Hugs will be awkward and even the accidental cough, might get our senses tingling. In a way, it will not be all bad. It will be good to respect each other's private spaces (it is now a measurable distance) and the hygienic habits of sanitizing our hands regularly might pay off in the long run. What this also means is that some of the racial tensions will rise. When suddenly someone brings food into a space that looks different or smells different, it will set of triggers as being unsafe. There is a primal survival instinct that has been unleashed and it will take a while to put it back into the box and declare safe spaces. As an organization, if everyone is mindful of it, it will be easier to tackle. The problem we are going to face in the short run is companies that have prematurely declared themselves "forever remote" with absolutely no infrastructure in place. Those who have gone hybrid are even worse off because those who are still dealing with a paranoid/cautious mind will choose to stay at home (or because they have kids and family that need them at home) and if the discussions and control center is at the office, people are going to fall behind. Most offices don't have a system of note-taking, and decisions being centrally put up and processes that ensure everyone is on the same page. So inevitably those who choose to spend more time in the offices will find themselves with more power than those working remotely. That will reflect in the next appraisal. This leads to the appraisal itself to be relooked at, which so far has been a popularity contest with the bosses, and now will have to be about actual work done. But have we defined what work is, in the knowledge economy? In a lot of workplaces, we have activity masquerading as work.

I'm not sure we'll go back into the office FT. Since lockdowns started here in the UK our team has diversified and we're now spread across 300 miles of the UK.. and NL, PL, and AU... I don't see how we can go back? Is anyone else planning to stay remote?

My office has transitioned to a very WFH focused model. I personally don't mind it!

To me the change is that every team must now be remote first and that even though some people will return to the office, some others will prefer to work from home. To me the futur of office is the choice but with a remote first approach. So I'd say that this progress will make people feel happier and less stressed.

We are back to the office since June, but only once or twice a week. Not sure we'll be fully back with a mon-fri presence. But we'll surely make the office a more friendly place :)

It will get better and WFH output have been really promising

Like @jan_mazurek mentioned, some people miss social interactions such as face to face contact, small talks, tea times, etc. But I guess even we go back to our commute, we'll keep using online collaboration tools that's already used to it.

I definitely see the future needing to be more flexible than ever. Especially in markets like Toronto, Canada where we're a growing city yet already have a major traffic issue and very poor public transportation. No matter where you live, you're facing a mind-numbing commute which can contribute to a host of health issues. The greater city area also becoming impossibly expensive to live. Personally, it's a dream come true to have flexibility. I love the energy of being in the office, but I work better from home and love getting to workout in the morning.

For me only for better - face to face contact with other team members, possible to get instant contact ASAP as they appear in sight instead as they writeback or callback, small talks during coffee breaks and so on

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I doubt the world will go back to a pre-pandemic era! Some might go to office, some my opt for Hybrid and WFH is here to stay for sure for many. It's time to change the way we look at things and how we can make remote work as productive as going to the office.