BY LUCAS VOSS
Lifestyles have been turned upside down, and the norms of daily routines challenged. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken everyone up, despite plenty of warning signs and time to prepare for the arrival of the virus that severely struck China, Italy, Iran and Spain, as authorities hurried to set lockdown law in the respective nations. Amongst twiddling thumbs, and twenty-second long cries of “happy birthday” echoing from the SU toilets, there was a quiet unease trembling beneath the surface of the Plymouth students.
As the new week commenced, it seemed we would be left lingering a little longer, so normal work proceeded. This was soon to change before the end of business that same day. All was thrown up in the air, as everyone hurried to adapt to home working as face-to-face teaching quickly ceased. A dream had come true for students who have crept out of bed last minute to a 9 a.m. in their pyjamas. For now they could happily attend their lecture from the comfort of their bed! Although summer break has arrived, we may experience remote working again if a second wave strikes. But could “heading to the office” be a phrase left in pre-COVID history books, even without a second wave?
The huge shake up to work in response to government advice, saw a sharp increase to a 49.2% peak of the adult working population working from home.[1] This brought new opportunities for increased family time, in place of time spent packed like sardines for commuter workers. Significant decreases in transport use were evident in the daily published transport data. While not all the change would be work related, its inherent that a decrease in commuter workers, will reduce transport usage. In the long term, this could relieve the severe pressure on the UK’s overcrowded trains that struggle to keep up with demand, while playing a role as the Government works towards its 2050 net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions. [2] In return for sacrificing the office, workers could increase their lifespan as commuting ‘can increase how many unhealthy foods we eat, impact our mental health and raise blood pressure’ according to research reported by the NHS. [3] It seems health is often sacrificed to work, so this could be a step in the right direction.
While there are health benefits of less commuting, on the contrary there could be negative mental health impacts of working from home. A lack of a designated workspace, focus disrupted by family, increased childcare responsibilities and homeschooling; there are many additional stress factors to contend when home and work become one. An irreplaceable element of the workplace in incidental socialising like a coffee break catch-up or a new friend with a common interest. It is easy to keep in contact with colleagues who are already friends, but there are many you would have not befriended if only remote-working. This could present graduates with challenges in new jobs as they begin their career.
So as we continue to work to the best of our abilities during unprecedented times, we contend with the potential of new working norms or challenges of returning to pre-lockdown life. There are practical issues around remote and homeworking based on different sectors, but these challenges aside, this pandemic will shape the future of workplaces we will graduate into, for decades to come. With worker flexibility increasing, let us know which you would prefer in the long term.
If you are struggling working from home, you can read some tips shared by Mind or contact the university wellbeing team.
[poll id=”2″]
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-becomes-first-major-economy-to-pass-net-zero-emissions-law