© Copyright Acquisition International 2025 - All Rights Reserved.

Article Image - How Feasible is a Large-Scale Return to the Office?
Posted 15th July 2021

How Feasible is a Large-Scale Return to the Office?

The return to the office is turning out to be a lengthy and gradual process as the coronavirus still looms - with many of the world’s workforce still working remotely for the foreseeable future. As many companies grapple with the return to the office, it bears questioning if and when the world’s wider workforce will return to the office in a covid backdrop.

Mouse Scroll AnimationScroll to keep reading

Let us help promote your business to a wider following.

How Feasible is a Large-Scale Return to the Office?
Return to the Office

The return to the office is turning out to be a lengthy and gradual process as the coronavirus still looms – with many of the world’s workforce still working remotely for the foreseeable future. As many companies grapple with the return to the office, it bears questioning if and when the world’s wider workforce will return to the office in a covid backdrop.

 

Big Cities to Ghost Towns

Some of the world’s business capitals are still looking more like ghost towns as employees are struggling to coax their workers back to the office. According to data from Bloomberg and Google mobily data, workplace activity in New York, London and San Francisco is still around half of what it was before the pandemic.

In other corporate capitals, such as Frankfurt, Singapore & Hong Kong, they are still dealing with the aftermath of the virus and the large-scale roll-out of the vaccine. For example, in Hong Kong, despite the majority of workers having returned to the office already, the government is struggling to encourage the uptake of vaccines in more citizens which could affect how long this solution is possible.

With countries continuously fluctuating between increasing and decreasing case numbers, and new variants threatening government policies, it can be difficult to predict when these cities can be expected to return to normal.

 

Leading Companies

Many of the world’s biggest companies are attempting to pave the way for businesses across the globe with their return to the office. Banks including HSBC Holdings Plc and Goldman Sachs are already reopening their offices to all employees in various locations across the world.

Other companies, such as Apple Inc and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are eager to get back to work after months of disruption caused by remote working.

As these companies are finding, the large-scale return to the office will depend on wider factors such as vaccination roll-out in the local area and the spread of new variants.

 

Changes to The Offices

We are now seeing significant changes to the look and layout of today’s offices. Whether it is through giant cubicle screens, more spaced out desks or better ventilation, it is key that everyone is playing their part to reduce covid infections spreading.

With the potential spread of the covid virus, this can lead to many staff members being away from their desks even longer and the downtime whilst they recover – which could be costly to an organisation.

The use of hand gels, facemasks and social distancing remains key as part of a large-scale return to the office, with companies using hygienic products such as ventilation systems, wall cladding and see-through dividers between desks where possible.

Finding the nearest testing centres may also be useful for companies to have their staff tested for potential covid cases. Even if it is just a sniffle, getting yourself checked quickly and potentially back to the office if everything is clear, is still very worthwhile.

 

New Employee Demands

Many employees have enjoyed the perks that come with full-time remote work be it having a better work-life balance, more time to do their domestic duties or finding it easier to balance work and childcare. Whatever the personal motivations, many employees are now looking to have greater flexibility when it comes to their working life.

Companies will have to take this into consideration when encouraging employees back to the office. After so long having remote work as a necessity rather than a luxury, it is going to be difficult to turn remote working back into a benefit or a work perk.

Already, companies including American Express, Unilever and Google have committed to letting people work remotely for at least part of the working week even when the pandemic is over.

Categories: News, Strategy


You Might Also Like
Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
One year on – what has lockdown done for UK’s tech sector
News
24/03/2021One year on – what has lockdown done for UK’s tech sector

The tech sector boasts an agile workforce that embraces new digital solutions before other sectors, and as a result showed its ability to adapt amid the global crisis. Consequently, it fared well compared to many other labour markets and showed good recovery a

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Wired Up: The Convergence of Technology, Media and Entertainment
Innovation
20/08/2015Wired Up: The Convergence of Technology, Media and Entertainment

Convergence drives technology, media and entertainment M&A to new heights as companies fight for competitive edge.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
The American Dream
Leadership
30/03/2022The American Dream

For potential business owners, franchising is the ideal way to open the door to independence. The team at Frannexus are specialists in the field, offering their unparalleled knowledge to support clients.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Matters for Small Businesses and Enterprise
Corporate Social Responsibility
17/03/2023Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Matters for Small Businesses and Enterprise

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a hot topic in recent years, and more businesses recognising just how important creating a positive impact on society and the environment is for them.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Haskell Acquires Leidos Constructors and Design Assets
M&A
16/03/2016Haskell Acquires Leidos Constructors and Design Assets

Haskell, one of the leading fully integrated design, engineering and construction firms, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Leidos Constructors, LLC.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Great Canadian Gaming’s Acquisition of Casino New Brunswick
M&A
28/05/2015Great Canadian Gaming’s Acquisition of Casino New Brunswick

Great Canadian Gaming's Acquisition of Casino New Brunswick

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Orange & Vivendi Enter Negotiations for the Acquisition by Vivendi of a Stake in Dailymotion
Finance
08/04/2015Orange & Vivendi Enter Negotiations for the Acquisition by Vivendi of a Stake in Dailymotion

Orange and Vivendi will now enter into a period of exclusive negotiations in order to finalize the terms of this operation.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Should You Fund Your Startup With Personal Credit Cards? Pros, Cons & Key Considerations
News
17/08/2022Should You Fund Your Startup With Personal Credit Cards? Pros, Cons & Key Considerations

Getting a new business off the ground when you don’t have the necessary capital saved up can be quite tricky. Risk capital sources such as angel investors, and VCs give a hard pass to the large majority of small businesses, unless they have breakthrough idea

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Financing Gap For Female Entrepreneurs Widens By 78% Since The Rose Review in 2019
Finance
25/04/2024Financing Gap For Female Entrepreneurs Widens By 78% Since The Rose Review in 2019

The financing gap between men and women for government-backed Start Up Loans has widened by 78% since the Alison Rose Review was published in 2019 - an independent review of female entrepreneurship in the UK commissioned by the Treasury.



Our Trusted Brands

Acquisition International is a flagship brand of AI Global Media. AI Global Media is a B2B enterprise and are committed to creating engaging content allowing businesses to market their services to a larger global audience. We have a number of unique brands, each of which serves a specific industry or region. Each brand covers the latest news in its sector and publishes a digital magazine and newsletter which is read by a global audience.

Arrow