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Back to the Office: The New Normal (and Why It’s Not As Easy As It Sounds)
Businesses are finally letting the green light turn on for the big office comeback, but that doesn’t mean the transition will be smooth sailing. Think of it like calling a choir into rehearsal after a month of Zoom—everyone has their version of “that’s been so good.” Below we unpack why the shift is more complicated than just swapping your headset for a headset and a desk.
1⃣ The “Half‑Day, Half‑Home” Puzzle
Some HR leaders have suggested a split schedule: half the day on the office floor, half at home. Mr Leong Chee Tung, EngerRocket’s CEO, pinpoints the real problem:
- Attention Drop‑off: Switching contexts keeps the brain flipping like an impatient toddler.
- Productivity Dip: More mental “so‑and‑so‑ing” leads to fewer get‑it‑done moments.
Bottom line: a full day in one place beats a half-and-half shuffle.
2⃣ How to Keep Everyone (And Covid) in Check
Some companies are trying alternate days or weeks for staff. Mr Mayank Parekh from the Institute for Human Resource Professionals mentions a small preference for alternate weeks:
- Any week with a Covid spike means everything cool; the other week can stay remote.
- This way, no one risks cross‑contamination.
But the trick is ensuring fairness. Fairness means balancing business needs with what people actually want. Professor Trevor Yu stresses the importance of letting staff play a role in the schedule design.
3⃣ Why Irregular Hours May Be a Stress Factory
Before the pandemic, standard workweeks were the quiet baseline everyone could trust:
- “Morning coffee? In the office.”
- “Off‑duty? Home.”
Professor Song Zhaoli laments that the new roster removes that certainty:
“The unpredictability of who goes when is a recipe for stress, especially for those juggling family life.”
For a swift return, consider staggered lunch breaks too. FastJobs VP Lim Huishan points out that the surge in returned staff can jam lunch spots, which are already throttling numbers due to safety protocols.
4⃣ Offices: The Newest Co‑Working Gig
Space designers are now wearing “flexibility goggles.” Professor Song predicts co‑working spaces will dominate because:
- Social distancing needs can trigger underuse of fixed desks.
- Companies want to cut costs, so each square foot should do double work.
5⃣ Collaboration Over Individual Workstations
Corporate Chief Toby Rakison emphasises that a true office must foster teamwork, not just support solitary Zoom‑buffered seats:
- More “creative circles” instead of rows of desks.
- Smart use of tech tools—videoconferencing hubs, modular work surfaces.
Observe Great Eastern: pre‑pandemic and now alike, they’ve replaced straight‑row office dynamic with a flexible layout that encourages cross‑functional brainstorms.
6⃣ Take It Slow, Don’t Rush to the Dashboard
Public sentiment remains lukewarm—about 62% of surveyed employees still dislike the office push. Mr Leong advises a paced reintegration:
“Pushing everyone in today causes confusion and costs productivity. Gradual stepping allows for smoother workflow adaptation.”
Betul Genc of Adecco receives similar vibes, insisting the telecommuting model remains the default until regulations shift.
7⃣ Real‑World Examples
Iscos keeps a split‑work model: only front‑line staff stay on-site, the rest work from home unless they need to access shared drives. Doris Ng believes this arrangement will last until phase three or a vaccine lands.
In contrast, health‑tech start‑up Plano is leaning on office presence to recharge its “bubbly” culture.
They’re setting a graduated return for 10 staff, with flexible schedules built around individual preferences. Mohamed Dirani acknowledges the habit shift and stresses empathy in the transition.
Takeaway
Going back to the office ain’t just about open doors—it’s about open minds, flexible designs, and respecting how people work. A balanced blend of office hours, creative spaces, and empathy beats the rushed “let’s all jump in.”
