The work patterns had changed in a busy city where office buildings once defined the skyline. The months following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have brought about significant changes in the work environment, with many companies adopting remote and hybrid work arrangements. Both the advantages and disadvantages of working remotely were felt by employees globally as regulations forced companies to quickly adjust to remote work.
Thorve, who is currently shifted to work from the office after working from home as a sales representative, says, "Resuming the office is so much fun! The only thing I wish was that I could somehow cut off the commute struggle in the morning."
Many people were able to achieve a better work-life balance at first because of the flexibility and absence of commutes provided by the shift to remote work. But for some, long periods of isolation and a lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life had a negative impact on their mental well-being and productivity. Employees had feelings of loneliness and separation due to the lack of face-to-face contacts and office community.
Thorve, who is currently shifted to work from the office after working from home as a sales representative, says, "Resuming the office is so much fun! I am happy to meet my office friends and am able to concentrate more on work without any distraction. The only thing I wish was that I could somehow cut off the commute struggle in the morning."
Source: Statistics Canada
Quebec has a loss of -18.7 per cent, or 821,000 jobs, until April 2020, as per Statistics Canada. The pandemic's effects on job losses and financial risks increased stress and anxiety levels in a variety of industries. Many faced layoffs or days off, leading to financial strain and impacting overall well-being.
Paritosh Hirulkar, who recently took a job as a customer service representative, where he is supposed to work completely remotely, struggles a little to adapt to his new job requirements. "It was very difficult to be productive at first, as I have never worked from home. I was also in a gray zone because I couldn't step out of the house due to my busy schedule and uneven sleep schedule."
In order to achieve a sustainable work-life balance in this new era, companies and employees must make conscious efforts. Employers need to put employee well-being first by encouraging mental health campaigns, creating a friendly work environment and providing sufficient resources for remote work. In contrast, those who are feeling isolated from others may find it helpful to draw clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives, stick to a schedule and look for social opportunities outside of work.
Haiya Stilani is working as an assistant accountant at an organization that follows hybrid working. Sitlani says, "I love working in a hybrid model. I am only required to go on the 15th and 30th of every month; on the rest days I work from home, which gives me liberty to work according to my wish and at my peace."
The hybrid work model is an attractive option for enterprises to satisfy the changing needs and preferences of the modern workforce and promote a more flexible and adaptive approach to work life as they navigate the post-pandemic world as the "new normal."
