Between telecommuting and the economic crisis, the trend of working from home

The economic crisis and telework are a good summary of 2020. The common denominator of these two elements is COVID-19, a virus that has been raging worldwide since the end of 2019. It paralyzed activity in France and the regions during the confinement from March to May. For companies, whose activity was not considered necessary, this containment symbolized the cessation of the operation in the present. Companies that could do so chose to continue their activities remotely, with the use of telework. Thus, the employees worked from home, with an internet connection and their computer. A way not to completely abandon the company, and to continue an activity in a new format.

Telework, a new way to operate after COVID-19?

At the end of the containment, telework is always recommended for companies that can. For others, the use of the mask is mandatory inside the offices, and the distance between the workspaces is required. This operation is not always easy to set up, especially in densely occupied spaces, which cannot accommodate everyone. In order to enable each employee to work, telework is thus retained, thus optimizing the working weeks and the organization. During the confinement, according to DARES (1), 25% of employees in France worked from home. Certainly, when work resumed in the present, a smaller proportion was able to continue working from home. However, they reap many benefits that they want to maintain in a sustainable way. Starting with the time that employees travel between their home and their workplace.

In Bordeaux Metropole, a study conducted in 2016 (2) highlighted the importance of the travel time of network agents. As hiring and debauchery schedules are common to many companies, travel times are lengthened. Indeed, the main routes used by buses or personal cars are quickly blocked during rush hour. For example, 38% of Bordeaux Metropole agents noted an increase in their journey of 15 to 30 minutes each way. They are 34% for trips from 30 minutes to 1 hour one way. The length of travel counts in the work rhythm of employees on a daily basis. Working from home allows them to be more productive from home, without having to travel. This represents significant savings (petrol, public transport subscription)…

An alternative to helping businesses financially

During confinement, the use of partial unemployment was important to companies. The economic crisis resulting from containment leaves traces in the activity of certain sectors of activity. A long construction then begins, with economic and interesting solutions. Telework allows companies to reduce the size of their premises. If this option tends to develop, the company can set up a turnover of employees present or at home. This saves a little each month, and does not completely break off the social contact. Telework, which is being implemented on a large scale, could have a positive impact on the environment by drastically reducing fuel consumption. An initiative in line with Bordeaux and New Aquitaine, which are driving an energy and ecological transition in the metropolis. The Bordeaux Metropolis employs 450,000 people in all sectors (3).

Working from home has many advantages for employees and businesses, and is a new trend. Telework is more productive and allows for more flexibility in managing one’s time. For some people, containment has also made it possible to carry out a work of introspection, and to dare. Dare to start developing your own business project, and start your business at home. However, working at home also marks a break in the social bond with colleagues. Contacts are rarer, and in collaborative work, relationships are different.

Telework, a way of working with nuanced opinions

According to a Statista survey, managers’ opinions are quite nuanced regarding telecommuting. 54% are more in favour of working from home, and 18% are opposed to it. It is more difficult to track the work of employees remotely.

Thus, some leaders choose instead to set up the Work Time Laid… A way to maintain traditional professional relationships, in a world that seems to be moving towards work from home…

Sources:

  1. DARES – April 2020 – Labour activity and conditions during the Covid-19 health crisis
  2. Bordeaux Metropole – Employee Travel Plan
  3. Bordeaux Metropole – 04/28/2020 – Key territory figures
  4. Statista – March 2020 – Telework: French managers’ opinion 2020
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