How Technology is Changing the Workplace
Published: 13/09/2020
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The world has changed, and so has the way we work. In this article, we urge business owners to consider these changes and the factors that have driven them. The hybrid office is predicted to be the future, replacing the traditional model. Therefore, we invite you to examine and project how technology continues to transform the workplace.
In light of the recent pandemic, companies had to change the way they operate. Namely, they were forced to adapt to fully remote working. Yet, while it was essentially thrust upon companies during the lockdown, many have realised its benefits. As a result, they are planning to abandon the traditional 9-to-5 setup for good. Over half of the employees surveyed about their lockdown experience said the way their team operates has ‘changed forever’. This implies that staff may now expect their working arrangements to alter permanently, even with the restrictions lifted.
This change was largely made possible by companies thinking outside the box and employing more software solutions than ever to carry out various tasks. From remote team meetings to enhanced workflows, the business world has discovered new methods to sustain itself. Moreover, this new approach is proving to be more effective. In this article, we will summarise the changes technology has already brought and contemplate what is yet to come.
There are several hoops to jump through to truly accomplish flexible working. Companies need to identify new, long-term ways to leverage technology. They also need to train managers to support communication, connect with staff, promote well-being, and manage productivity while working remotely. Although the benefits of remote and flexible working outweigh the challenges, it can still be daunting.
It is forecasted, however, that the majority of companies will find the change in the environment beneficial and productive. However, it does depend on the team. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to collaboration and exchanging ideas. The key to establishing either a remote or hybrid setup is to be diligent in planning and implementing the right technology to facilitate idea-sharing remotely. In short, the 9-to-5 office culture is already a thing of the past. Remote and flexible working represent both the present and the future. Companies still need to do their due diligence to fully adapt to the new environment.
In the past decade or so, workplaces have begun taking steps to become friendlier to employees by offering more benefits and considering their mental well-being. However, the process has been rather slow. One positive outcome of a series of lockdowns is that caring for staff has become one of the top priorities for many businesses. The technology we now see is reshaping how workplaces operate. It is also playing a significant role in ensuring the happiness of workers.
As we enter the third year of the pandemic, most restrictions have been lifted, including the enforcement of remote working. However, companies that discovered a hybrid work approach during the period of relaxed rules (e.g., only being allowed to have a limited number of workers on-site) are not rushing to abandon this newly found work structure. In fact, it has become clear that hybrid working is more efficient than full-time office work. First, it helps employees save significant time that is often spent commuting. Second, it can help some reach the necessary levels of concentration when focusing on tasks.
Finally, some companies have expanded during the lockdown beyond their physical office capacity and consequently simply couldn’t fit their entire team in. These are just a couple of factors among myriads that can be either general or only applicable to specific businesses. All, however, point to one conclusion: the hybrid working approach is here to stay. Furthermore, the technology supporting it is also designed to enhance both individual and company performance. Most solutions are tailored to act as a communication link between remote and in-office teams.
The way companies have adjusted their operations to be conducted remotely demonstrates that flexibility is something every business can embrace. It has, therefore, opened workers' eyes to this reality. Aspects like flexible hours and hybrid working were regarded as exclusive perks of leading companies when, in truth, they should have been accessible all along. Moreover, the fact that most companies already possess the software needed to support flexible working reinforces this point.
Rightfully so, the staff now expects companies to provide flexible options as part of their contracts and not merely as job perks. This could also be interpreted as a call for companies to review and update their toolsets. This way, they are more accommodating in giving the staff what they deserve. From shift scheduling and holiday management to collaboration tools and centralised document storage, every business needs to buckle up and enhance its flexibility.
We’ve started this article by highlighting that, despite its mandatory nature, adaptation to remote working has yielded remarkable results. Both companies and individual employees, after an initial dip, have seen their performance steadily improve. While many factors contribute, one key driver is the increased use of automation due to a greater reliance on technology.
Since many processes requiring the physical presence of on-site personnel became impossible, companies had to start thinking outside the box. For example, new starters would no longer find a paper copy of the contract on their desk upon arrival, nor would they receive physical copies of their documentation. While onboarding is just one example, most repetitive yet vital business procedures had to be reimagined in the digital realm. This approach proved to work wonders in enhancing business efficiency.
In simple terms, most companies have become accustomed to their processes, often unaware that they are becoming outdated. When pushed out of their comfort zones and forced to seek new solutions, many have realised how complacent they’ve been. The reality is that many time-consuming core processes, such as reporting or payroll, can easily be automated. As a result, they can be completed in just minutes and are less likely to contain errors.
Even before the global remote work shift, creating smooth and efficient workstreams was a challenge for many companies. The main issue was effectively aligning teams, which led to repetitive tasks, data inconsistencies, and decreased business performance. However, the increased use of technology and the establishment of a digital workplace have significantly contributed to resolving these problems. Most automation tools also act as collaboration platforms, enabling companies to develop quick and seamless workflows.
The implementation of process automation makes task handovers easier and faster by eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth communication. Additionally, collaboration platforms enable users to work together on assignments in real-time, regardless of their different access points. These platforms also function as multi-format communication channels for sharing information through notes, tracked edits, shared document uploads, and comments attached to each step of the process. In other words, modern technology has greatly contributed to aligning teams, even when they are not in physical proximity.
Evidently, technology’s role in our daily lives has grown and continues to expand. Its driving force of innovation has allowed companies to discover new opportunities and methods to better support their processes and staff. However, we are still at the very beginning of the journey, and now is not the time to rest. If you abandon your digitisation efforts at this point, your competitors will leave you in the dust, as that’s a market that keeps expanding. Therefore, you should also strive to continue optimising your workplace with better, more effective, and budget-friendly solutions.
If you’re a business that has realised the benefits of flexible working, it would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of having the right technology to support the transition. While you may have already implemented tools that facilitate communication and collaboration among your team, how are you managing aspects like flexitime and working hours? With Timesheet Portal, you can easily oversee elements such as timesheets, time-off bookings, flexitime, and online expenses all under one roof.
We provide a promise that our tool is the perfect solution whether you’re project-based, a recruiter working with temps, or simply a company seeking an all-in-one solution to streamline your business and enhance its efficiency. Equipped with a plethora of functionalities, we can support your business efforts on many levels. We offer a competitive price and a continuous stream of updates and improvements.
Business reliance on technology has been steadily increasing in the years leading up to the pandemic. However, the rushed adjustment to complete business digitisation caused a significant surge. This also demonstrated to both businesses and workers the advantages of being flexible, as well as how digital tools are well-suited to accommodate this flexibility. In other words, we can confidently state that technology has already transformed the workplace. Yet, this is just the beginning.
The modern office is no longer a term we associate with a spacious new building in the centre of a large metropolitan city. Instead, it’s a working environment that isn't limited or restricted by location or time zones. Today's modern workplace is one where employees can easily collaborate and brainstorm on their own terms, thereby eliminating bottlenecks that previously obstructed progress. It is more efficient, more goal-driven, and more engaging - all thanks to technology that takes repetitive and time-consuming tasks off our hands, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.
It’s time to embrace the future. Let’s work together.