What You’ll Learn from the Article::

• The impact of less collaboration in virtual work environments and why it's not as effective as in-person interactions.
• Challenges of reduced management control when employees work remotely.
• Risks of reduced employee retention in a virtual workspace.
• Why returning to the office can be a key solution to these challenges after COVID-19.

While companies across the United States and the world are embracing work-from-home, Zoom meetings, and social distancing, it might seem like COVID-19 is making the traditional office obsolete. After all, if you can work from your kitchen in your pajamas, why bother commuting? And if your workers can be productive from home, why pay thousands or tens of thousands of rent per workspace per year?  Why renew your lease when it comes up when you can go virtual?

We are learning that working from home and other non-traditional arrangements are great ways to deal with a crisis like COVID-19 or a natural disaster.  They let your business keep operating when there is no other option. However, they also come at a real cost, and those costs will come due. In time, we will be excited to return to traditional workspaces -- and you'll be excited to renew your office lease when it comes due.