In the past three months, Canadian employers have had to adapt to the reality of operating within the parameters of a nationwide economic shutdown. This has been unquestionably the single biggest shift in employment in Canada since World War II.

For companies fortunate enough to be able and allowed to continue doing business have permitted employees to work from home. This has created a high demand for home office equipment, home office accessories, Internet security, and more.

The truth around the current economic conditions and shutdown is that, eventually, it will conclude. That said, a vaccine could take months or potentially years to be found. When the COVID-19 crisis is over and as we wait for a vaccine, where will that leave the companies managing their employees in work-from-home situations – well, the future looks bright.

It’s estimated that approximately 15 percent of Canadian workers already worked from home prior to the coronavirus shutdown. Add onto that another 35 percent of our workforce roughly who have shifted their work to home in the face of this virus and you have as much as half of Canada’s workforce currently in a work-from-home dynamic.

Currently, we are seeing a variety of economic experiments occurring in Canada, from wage subsidies and borderline basic incomes to work-from-home employment. These changes, in modified form, could carry through long after COVID-19 is handled.

For employees, the benefits of working from home are obvious. No commuting. You get to relax in your own environment. If an employee has kids or dependents, they can still be there for them. A number of studies have also shown, for most work-from-home employees, their productivity increases, mental health improves, climate change pollution is reduced with no commute, and work/life balance improves.

For employers, it reduces their operational costs – sometimes significantly so. Although morale, security, and productivity are all potential issues, the cost savings in designing work-from-home teams could lead the way in facilitating more scenarios like this.

We realize not everyone can work from home. This much is obvious. Construction workers, fulfillment and warehouse facilities, grocery store clerks, ER physicians, and so many more workplaces require in-person attention. Comparatively though, computer-based jobs don’t always need a full staff on site.

COVID-19 may have changed work forever. It isn’t unreasonable to think we will see more employees request work-from-home assignments and for employers to honor it.

From an ergonomic sit-standing desk to over-the-ear headphones, a high-quality monitor mounted onto your computer desk, Ethernet cables, and more, anyone can have a place at home to work from. Grab your home office essentials today from PrimeCables. This may not just be the reality for today. It could be the reality for the next year and potentially permanently.

Featured photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash