Niki Fuchs in FMUK: We should act as soon as possible

Are your team ready to return to the office?

Lockdown home working continues to impact productivity and wellbeing, with output per worker 8.8% lower in Q3 2020 compared to the same quarter last year, following a fall of 19.9% in the first few months of lockdown – the largest decline on record.

Wellbeing is also suffering, with with 1 in 4 adults reporting feelings of loneliness in the first national lockdown, up from 1 in 10 pre-pandemic. Moreover, these feelings have tangibly affected productivity, doubling the average number of sick days taken by employees.

Writing for Facilities Management UK, OSiT Managing Director Niki Fuchs outlines the negative impacts of lockdown home working, why it is unsustainable for people and businesses, and the importance of connectivity, as well as fighting lockdown loneliness and employee burnout, as part of our recovery from the pandemic. Niki argues that this year has highlighted the shortcomings of working from home as a long-term arrangement, and that the office is vital for businesses looking to maintain connectivity, collaboration, and camaraderie for their teams.

Read Niki’s thoughts in full here.