The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted how people work and interact with each other in the workplace, resulting in hybrid working solutions that carry several unique hygiene and sanitation challenges.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Office Workplace Trends
With many businesses and organizations opting for remote work arrangements to help curb the spread of the virus, the traditional office environment has been dramatically altered.
According to data compiled by Exploding Topics;
[...] a hybrid work environment seems to be the compromise that works for both businesses and employees.
The Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes found that the gap between the number of days employees wanted to work remotely and the number of days companies were allowing was 1.38 days in late 2020.
By June 2022, the gap had shrunk to .44 days.
[...] the most popular work setup was a hybrid plan.
More than 50% of leaders said employees would be working from the office part of the week and working remotely part of the week.
As of spring 2022, 58% of Americans said they have the opportunity to work from home at least one day per week.
In fact, the data shows that nearly 90% of employees who have the opportunity to utilize a hybrid work arrangement take it.
In light of these changes, it is essential to examine the current trends in office occupancy and what these changes may mean for the future of work.
Current Trends
A recent study by Kastle Systems showcased the latest office occupancy trends, highlighting the decline in office occupancy rates in the wake of the pandemic.
According to the study, office occupancy dropped significantly in the early days of the pandemic, with many businesses and organizations opting for remote work arrangements to help curb the spread of the virus.
However, as more and more people return to work, office occupancy rates are slowly starting to recover, with the majority of offices reporting an increase in occupancy over the past few months, with ten major U.S. cities reporting office occupancy exceeding 50% since March 2020.
According to the study:
- The data from January 19th to 25th showed that Austin and Houston in Texas had the highest office occupancy rates, with 67.7 percent and 60.3 percent, respectively.
- In contrast, San Jose and Philadelphia had the lowest office occupancy rates, with 41.1 percent and 42.7 percent, respectively.
- The average office occupancy rate across the ten cities studied was 58.6 percent during the week, with the lowest being 34.9 percent.
- It's worth noting that every city, excluding Dallas and Houston, recorded an overall increase in occupancy rates from January 12th to 18th to January 19th to 25th.
Consequences and Challenges
This uptick in occupancy signals a significant change from the early days of the pandemic when many offices were nearly empty as people opted to work from home to avoid exposure to the virus.
Current data indicates that the trend toward remote work may have reached its peak and that people are starting to return to the office in increasing numbers.
According to a recent Gallup Poll;
Hybrid work has increased in 2022 (from 42% in February to 49% in June) and is expected to further increase to 55% of remote-capable workers by the end of 2022 and beyond.
This shift aligns closely with the preferences of many remote-capable workers, as 60% want a long-term hybrid work arrangement.
Fully remote work arrangements are expected to continue decreasing from three in 10 remote-capable employees in June, down to two in 10 for the long term, despite 34% wanting to permanently work from home.
Returning to the Office: The Current, Preferred and Future State of Remote Work
In addition to the decline in office occupancy, the pandemic has profoundly impacted how offices are cleaned and maintained.
Post-COVID Pandemic Office Cleaning Trends
- Increased demand for cleaning and sanitizing products: With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of cleanliness and hygiene, businesses and organizations are emphasizing more on maintaining clean and sanitary environments. This has resulted in an increased demand for cleaning and sanitizing products, particularly those that are effective against germs and viruses.
- The emergence of new technologies: The pandemic has also accelerated the development and adoption of new technologies in the cleaning and sanitizing industry. This includes using automated cleaning systems, electrostatic sprayers, and UV-C light disinfection technologies. These technologies are helping improve the effectiveness and efficiency of cleaning and sanitizing processes while making them safer for workers.
- Focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility: Sustainability and environmental responsibility have become increasingly important in the jan-san industry. As a result, businesses and organizations are looking for cleaning and sanitizing products that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable and are also reducing their overall waste and consumption.
- Emphasis on employee health and safety: With the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 virus, employers are focusing more on employee health and safety in the workplace. This includes implementing strict cleaning and sanitizing protocols, providing personal protective equipment, and promoting social distancing measures, among other things.
- Greater collaboration between different industries: In the wake of the pandemic, the jan-san industry is working more closely with other sectors, such as healthcare and hospitality, to provide effective and efficient cleaning and sanitizing solutions. This collaboration is helping to improve the overall cleanliness and safety of these industries while also providing new business opportunities for the jan-san industry.
References & Resources
- Study Showcases Latest Office Occupancy Trends
- Getting America Back to Work
- A survey of 10 cities shows office occupancy reached the highest point since the pandemic began.
- The Top Jan-San Industry Trends for the Post-Covid World
- Cleaning changed during the pandemic, and it may not change back
Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted how people work and interact with each other in the workplace.
With many businesses and organizations opting for remote work arrangements to help curb the spread of the virus, the traditional office environment has been dramatically altered.
However, as the trend toward remote work reaches its peak, it is clear that most people are starting to return to the office and that businesses and organizations are taking steps to ensure that their employees are safe and healthy.
In response to these challenges, businesses and organizations are looking for innovative solutions to help keep their employees safe and healthy.
One such solution is using technology to monitor and manage office occupancy, helping to ensure that buildings are not overcrowded and that people can maintain safe distances from each other.
Additionally, many organizations are investing in enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols to help keep their offices safe and healthy.
However, onboarding and managing the requisite labor and material resources necessary to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are achieved and maintained may prove cost-prohibitive for many organizations.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and disinfection services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
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