Practically all Indian lives have been touched, directly or indirectly, by the virus.
A recent study by Deloitte ranked India highest among 18 countries in terms of anxiety during the second wave of the pandemic. It’s a complex picture with considerable ramifications for employers as people begin returning to the office.
“Many employees feel like they’re now different people to those who inhabited the workplace in the pre-pandemic world,” suggests Abi Roni Mattom, Country Lead for India at Unispace. “Everyone is still dealing with their anxieties, stress and traumas, and the question for their employers is how they can make returning to work a positive step on the road to better wellbeing.”
When Apple CEO, Tim Cook announced that he wanted all employees to return to the office, he noted that “Video conference calling has narrowed the distance between us, that’s for sure, but there are things it simply cannot replicate.”
This rings particularly true of India’s community-centric culture.
“The importance of community within Indian society cannot be overstated,” explains Abi. “Employees seek to belong to something bigger than themselves, and this communal aspect of work is something that businesses have struggled to address during our time away from the office.”
By eliminating the pains and hassles of returning to work and accentuating the opportunities it creates, organizations can empower employees to reconnect with the physical workplace in the way that best supports their wellbeing.
Empowerment is the key to better wellbeing. Unispace’s framework for post-covid office design, The Propeller Workplace, combines elements of wellness, community and innovation to allow employees to thrive in a post-pandemic world.
“After so many months of working in isolation, the return to the office has the potential to provide a genuine boost to employee wellbeing,” says Abi. “The key is for organizations to embrace hybrid working. Rush-hour commutes can be avoided, focus work doesn’t need to be carried out in the office, and employees can be trusted to plan their own movements without impacting their productivity.”
Is your business looking to rethink its workplace strategy for the post-COVID world? Download the Propeller Workplace Guide or get in touch with one of our experts.
Abi Roni Mattom, Country Director, India - Connect on Linkedin
As a thought leader within the corporate real estate industry, Abi brings over 17 years of experience delivering exceptional workplace solutions for some of the worlds most innovative brands. Having shared the stage with fellow leaders at global industry forums such as CoreNet and DBIA, Abi has a passion for sharing his knowledge and insights to empower others.