Major Impacts of COVID-19 on the Traditional Office: How Does It Work?

The COVID-19 pandemic upended lives around the world and invariably changed the way that workplaces operate. As managers look toward the future and begin inviting employees to return to the office, they must first recognize and understand the changes they will face before they do so. This paper discusses the two biggest changes to future workplaces: increased availability of hybrid or remote scheduling, and an increased focus and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) efforts following the Black Lives Matter movement. Many working Americans had not worked from home prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were quickly able to shift to remote work while remaining productive. Additionally, more diverse workforces have been proven to be more successful, though it is still primarily white men who occupy higher executive positions across industries. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the fact that people can work from home and still achieve successful career goals, and it also put a spotlight on the inequalities present in management structures. As offices begin to reopen, managers and executives must adjust and implement flexible scheduling and better DEI initiatives in order to create a fairer, more equitable workplace