Companies will indefinitely continue the discussions about whether they’re able to work fully remote, need employees to be in the office, or if  creating a hybrid structure would work best.

According to Consumer Reports, multiple federal agencies provided some tips on creating strategies for bringing employees back into the office. As such, employers need to figure out the best structure that works for them.

When talking to customers and colleagues about their return-to-work plans, it is clear employees and employers alike have valid concerns:

• How do you go back to work when proven policies and procedures are still up in the air?
• How many people can safely practice social distancing within meeting rooms?
• Are companies going to adopt hoteling or are they going to want less space?
• Should a normal 12-seat conference room only accommodate six people in the new normal and does that mean companies will need more or less real estate?

A Rise in Touchless Technology

One of the biggest workplace outcomes caused by the 2020 pandemic is a new hyper-awareness of how much offices and in-person work environments spread illness. These concerns are driving a greater prevalence in touchless, voice-activated office tools – from technology to conference rooms. Voice, through products like Alexa, will be able to stand on its own as a modality of communication. This means that over the next several months, companies will work to figure out the best ways to appropriately clean to ensure every employee stays safe and healthy.

A Different Type of Collaboration 

Pre-Pandemic collaborative spaces looked like open floor plans, people packed into conference rooms, and open-door offices. With the aforementioned focus on keeping people healthy, the walls are going back up.

That doesn’t mean collaboration will cease to exist though. Conference room technology is keeping up with changing trends so businesses can keep their strategies moving forward without the fear of getting anyone sick.

Welcome to work from home – perhaps for good

Prior to stay-at-home measures, many employees rarely – if ever – worked from their homes. It’s likely that a hybrid work structure is going to be the long-term norm for many industries moving forward. In the past, there was a focus on the in-room, in-office experience being the preference for many companies. And while it still might be an employer’s preference, this just might not be possible.

It’s Okay to See Some Failures

When calling the ranks back into the office, employers will need to be willing to change some things around. Understand that you might not get it right the first time, and that’s okay! There is no definitive, one-size-fits-all solution that will make everything normal again.

Remote work has shined a light on people’s ability – or lack thereof – to successfully work from home.

Meeting Rooms will Look Different Moving Forward           

Conference rooms will become a more valuable asset than ever, but they will not be the same as we once knew. It’s doubtful in the near future that 30 people will be sitting around a large table in a conference room together. Realistically, it’s likely half will be physically present, which means the other half will need the capabilities to join the conference remotely.

Need to figure out the best meeting room set up for your organization? Let us know how RoomReady can help!