Work From Home Will Last For Next Two Years Across The Globe! Can WFH Will Become Permanent?

Recent surveys reveal that enthusiasm for remote work has only increased as the pandemic has stretched on.

No Going Back From work-from-home boom

Pat Gelsinger, chief executive officer of Intel Corp. predicts that hybrid and remote work will remain the norm for months and years to come. 

According to him, “There is no going back, ” as their company has benefited from the work-from-home boom.

So far, the return dates have been postponed repeatedly. 

Regarding the same, Apple Inc. told corporate employees last Thursday that its planned return to U.S. offices would be delayed until at least January.

Following the trend, companies like Chevron Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. have postponed September returns.

On the other hand,  tech firms such as Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc. have pushed them to early next year.

In the similar tunes, Lyft Inc. said it would call employees back to its San Francisco headquarters in February. 

Which is almost 23 months after the ride-sharing company first closed its offices.

Employees Feeling Disconnected

In case of Prudential Financial Inc., it has delayed its office reopening from September to October at the earliest. 

Although, Rob Falzon, vice chair of the company, said that date could change, too, depending on health conditions.

The company is planning to allow for a mix of in-person and remote work once U.S. offices reopen. 

But, Mr. Falzon worries that the longer people stay at home, the more employees feel disconnected.

Concerns About Leaving

Mr. Falzon said that “My single greatest concern is around talent,” he said.

 “As individuals disassociate themselves with their organizations from a cultural standpoint, it becomes increasingly easy for them to make decisions to leave and go elsewhere,” he added. 

According to him, already, many employees are “bombarded” with messages from recruiters and friends, attempting to lure them elsewhere.

On the other hand, some employees say they have settled into a more comfortable rhythm of remote work after months spent hunched over kitchen tables. 

With this new perspective, it could become difficult to convince existing employees to willingly upend their new lives and return to pre-pandemic schedules in offices.