Effects of Covid-19 on Workplace & Work Culture

By: Sharmila Sandeep, Head - Marketing, Saint-Gobain

Passionate about marketing, Sharmila has over 17 years of experience across FMCG, Retail, Media and Banking industries.

The global pandemic has affected almost every aspect of our lives, including our working situations. Can you throw some light on how the pandemic has altered working scenarios across the Indian corporate sector?

One of the major changes adapted in the working scenarios over the years is the ever-evolving Hybrid Working model. What could have only been an experimental aspiration became a reality through the pandemic. Even as pandemic fears have passed, a successful hybrid work environment would find significance in 2022, with enterprises bringing-in digital transformation and innovations to enable work continuity amid the Covid-19. Certain industries are thriving because of the hybrid model in the face of pandemic hurdles. However, when it comes to the construction sector, remote working isn't the most feasible alternative in the mix. However, with the help of technology, the industry is slowly adapting to the advantages of remote working. Businesses that can adapt to the new form of corporate culture are set to only gain a competitive advantage in the industry, as they will be able to preserve organizational agility as well as a spirit of collaboration. Thus, irrespective of the challenges, the sector has found a middle ground to take ahead and explore the avenues of hybrid working and this is a culture we believe is here to stay.

Can you take us through some steps and measures that you have taken as an individual to attain the ever-elusive work-life balance?

The acceleration and adoption of technology in our work life can be cited as one of the silver linings of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the over-dependence on tech has also raised concerns around work-life balance. Our availability around the clock can be boon to our work, but a bane to our personal lives. Thus, it is imperative to make the stark distinction between work life and our personal life. Making this distinction can turn-out to be the first step in finding balance while working. For instance, making sure to work within working hours to ensure quality time to be spent for our personal growth is a relevant starting point. Personally, I prefer reading to rewind from the hectic work hours.

It is critical for me to be on the ground and grounded as a corporate leader, and reading assists me in doing so. It helps me put things into perspective and evaluate the current workings around me. I also prefer devoting time to my family as much as I can. It helps in relaxing the stress of work life. I believe that there is no right way to strike the correct work-life balance, but a little something each day can take us a long way in finding our space in the chaos of work and personal lives.

In your opinion, how has the industry evolved since the time you entered the field to present day? What have been some of the most impactful change agents for this evolution?

The world is evolving at a breakneck speed, and while the construction sector has been slow in picking pace with the changing times, the past few years have witnessed remarkable changes in the sector. Internet and technology have taken-over every business in the last few decades, and we're advancing towards artificial intelligence, while the sword of global warming hangs over our heads. Even the building business has seen significant changes in the previous ten years as a result of these reasons. Thus, technology has brought about some of the most applicable changes in most of our careers. The constructions sector for instance is now looking at AR and VR technologies as a primary inclusion to enhance customer experience and develop better projects. The use of BIM and similar efforts have also helped better execute projects and cut-short the processing time across the sector. Along with technology, the growing influence of green building has also helped the sector take baby steps towards a more ecologically aware sector. Personally, I would say, awareness is the primary factor that has brought about the change in the way we construct. Consumers are more aware of the details and are also demanding the changes we see coming in the sector.

“The acceleration and adoption of technology in our work life can be cited as one of the silver linings of the covid-19 pandemic”

Give us a summary of significant trends that will develop in the real estate industry going forward in 2022. What does the sector have in store for the coming year?

Developers have been able to aggressively promote multifunctional homes due to pandemic-related limitations and the continuation of hybrid work practices. This tendency is expected to continue in the coming year. The year 2021 compelled us to investigate novel marketing strategies in order to virtually appeal to buyers. Looking ahead, the year 2022 will see a continuous increase in demand for multipurpose homes. Unique project offerings will continue to be available, giving homeowners plenty of options. In addition, given the increased confidence in 2021 following the pandemic, the market is ready to incorporate the new normal with added assurance. The hybrid model of both work and commercial units will continue to be of importance and relevance in the years to come.

In addition, we also anticipate larger acceptance for alternate building materials in tier-II and tier-III markets. Given the growing concerns around the environment, developers are moving toward more ecological alternatives as opposed to traditional brick and mortar. In such a situation, materials such as gypsum and glass hold strong in the market. In addition, the pressures posed on the healthcare infrastructure due to the pandemic also asks for alternatives that have a quicker turnaround time with minimum labour involvement. For instance, we at Gyproc India (a part of Saint-Gobain India) during the initial days of the pandemic set-up a new 600-bed hospital in Surat, Gujarat in 17 days for the treatment of patients suffering from Covid-19. The quick turnaround time on the development of the facility was the need of the hour, given the unprecedented pressure on the healthcare sector. Thus, emphasizing the use of drywalls in construction as one of the most relevant alternate building materials in current times. While drywalls have been heavily used in urban projects, with projects like these, they are now set to make a mark even in the deeper pockets of India, given the growing needs of the nations.