Companies should consider a 'phased approach' for a return to the office post pandemic, according to a report published by professional services firm Aon, employers' group Ibec and a coalition of Irish employers.
The report outlines the Covid-19 related challenges that companies are facing and will continue to face as we move into the recovery phase of the pandemic.
Aon brought together the Work, Travel, Convene Coalition in August of last year.
The coalition's aim was to understand the common challenges that organisations were facing, to identify and share current and evolving arrangements being developed as they planned for the safe return to workplaces.
Accenture, AIB, Aon, A&L Goodbody, Bord Bia, Citi, ICON plc, KPMG and Irish Life were members of the coalition, together with Ibec, the group that represents businesses which employ over 70% of the private sector workforce.
Among the findings, the report suggests that businesses take a 'phased approach' to planning their return to the office environment, by giving consideration to those who may benefit more from an earlier return to their workplace.
The report recommends that firms develop new long-term strategies to maintain health and safety standards that can be applied whether an employee is working remotely or in an office environment.
It also suggests that companies place added emphasis on identifying new risk areas within the business and develop a strategy which will help to reduce exposure.
Peter Brady, Aon's CEO for Commercial Risk and Health Solutions in Ireland said the report has been published at an important juncture in Ireland’s journey to recovery.
"As the vaccine roll-out continues and the Government begins to map out a gradual reopening of our economy and society, business leaders are focusing their attention on how to successfully transition to a post-pandemic environment.
"The task of building a sustainable recovery while also meeting the evolving needs of a hybrid workforce is a complex challenge that we wanted to explore further.
"Through roundtable discussions and data-driven insights, our coalition of leading employers has helped to do just that," he said.
While the initial move to remote working last year was earmarked as a short-term measure, Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec said it will have a prolonged impact on businesses.
"Companies need to be prepared for the future and for a time when there is a return of the workforce to the workplace.
"The insights shared today will help Irish companies make these plans a reality," he said.
Aon assembled over 100 companies for similar coalitions in ten major cities including Chicago, New York, Singapore, Tokyo, Madrid and London.
