The Inevitable Balancing Act of the Post-Pandemic Workplace

The commercial design industry—real estate professionals, architects, interior designers and furniture manufacturers alike—is optimistic that boredom, discomfort and a craving for workplace culture will soon drive the U.S. workforce back to their physical offices so things can get “back to normal”.  The reality is likely far more complex, as employees leverage technology to become increasingly productive with remote work and exhibit a reluctance to go back to the way things were before. Employers are now grappling with how to re-build trust in real estate assets, how to support the 30-40% of workers expected to work from home a majority of the time, and their responsibilities and costs associated with either scenario.  Will real estate firms soon be helping their clients right-size their footprints for a reduced onsite workforce? What will be the new normal for corporate culture? Will design firms soon be hired to help retrofit employees’ home offices so they feel part of that corpo...