There have been countless ways in which the Covid-19 pandemic has altered all of our lives, none more so than perhaps our working conditions and the ways in which we live and work.
From having to work at home, to flexibility in the hours we work, many are wondering if much of the change we have all experienced is indeed here to stay.
Illya Shpetrik has commented on the changes to how we have all been working and said: “people have found new ways of working and have adapted to a new way of doing things. That said, there is no reason why people wouldn’t revert to type and get back to how they have been doing things for many years…”
Illya Shpetrik continued: “…we shouldn’t underestimate how much people miss going into the office and the more traditional ways of working that most people prefer.”
Although it is anticipated that many people will not want to go back to the office and the ‘old-fashioned’ way of doing things, many also believe that more than not, people are itching to get back to their workplaces; reconnecting with colleagues and effectively picking up where they left off pre-pandemic.
On how many workers will feel when returning to work, Illya Shpetrik said: “Most will be beyond excited to get back into their workplaces, as the last year has been for many, monotonous with no change in surroundings on a regular basis, which an office or workplace certainly provides.”
The Work-Life Balance
It has not just been where people work that has been greatly affected over the past year. In addition, the relationship between work, living and social life has become blurred for many people who have been able to work remotely.
Co-living, where people live in a mini-community, with shared facilities all under one roof, has seen a surge in its popularity in London the UK and around the world. Co-living in the UK is expected to increase significantly further when things start returning to normal and people adapt to working flexibly; remotely and in offices.
For many city workers, particularly those at the start of their careers and the young, co-living as an option is a great way to avoid experiencing the loneliness that can come with living and working in a big city as well as enabling them to meet other like-minded people. With shared facilities under one space, those living in co-living spaces, often forge strong friendships and make useful business contacts.
There are opportunities to unwind when living in a co-living space, with gyms, bars and other amenities and facilities all available, and often of higher standards than could otherwise be found in an expensive city centre.
Charity and Money
An interesting change in behaviour through the Covid-19 pandemic has been people’s increase in giving charity and helping charitable causes. People have given huge sums of money to various charities to help the needy as well as those affected directly by coronavirus.
Illya Shpetrik, a keen donor of the Salvation Army has predicted that: “People are more than likely to continue their giving of charity, as not only has it emphasised the importance of various causes in the community, but it has highlighted to people that charity starts in their local communities…”
Shpetrik continues: “…giving charity is also incredibly fulfilling and generally satisfying for people. Knowing you are directly helping people in need is not something people will simply turn away from post-covid.”
Interestingly, because people have been so restricted in what they can do and where they can go, in the UK alone, it is thought that there are billions pounds effectively waiting to be spent; currently sitting idly in bank accounts.
