What Will the “New Normal” Look Like for Consulting Engineering?

03 May What Will the “New Normal” Look Like for Consulting Engineering?

As I speak to civil engineers across the country on a daily basis, I have been trying to understand what the “new normal” will look like when it comes to the physical work environment within the consulting engineering community. Of course a lot of uncertainty still remains, but one thing is for sure, there will certainly be some changes taking place.

In my conversations, one thing has become evident: the remote workforce is here, and it is here to stay. Only a very small handful of companies have adopted a remote workforce strategy prior to Covid-19, and I use the word “strategy” loosely. This particular topic has been discussed and written about ad nauseam for at least the past five years, but not many firms have adopted a legitimate policy to allow for such opportunity outside of extenuating circumstances. The current pandemic has seemingly tipped the cart.

I would LOVE to hear what your firm is doing, or even talking about doing, as we begin to move into the phased return to work. What approach will your employer will be taking in the weeks and months to come as we adapt to the “new normal” ?

📌Will mandatory testing be required for employees to enter the office?

📌Will some sort of temperature gauge be installed for people to walk through before entering the office?

📌Will masks be mandatory or optional?

📌Will employees be required to work in the office on a rotating basis as to more easily adhere to social distancing?

📌Will hallways and aisles be “one way” avenues?

📌With the global embracing of video calls via Zoom, SKYPE, etc, are face-to-face client meetings and interviews of thing of the past?

📌Will hand sanitizing stations be mounted on walls every “x” amount of feet?

📌Remember a few years ago when the “open concept” work space became all the rage? Have those office layouts experienced their last day?

📌Or…will companies just make temporary adjustments with the belief that the “new norm” will be short lived because they are holding on to hope that a vaccine will be discovered in the next 12-18 months?

I look forward to hearing from you in regards to what YOU expect to see as the “new normal” in the civil engineering workplace.