Blending physical and virtual: Shaping the new workplace
The panel 'Blending physical and virtual: Shaping the new workplace' is organised by Bruegel on 2 September, 2021. The event will discuss the changes which COVID-19 pandemic made to our workplaces, and further developments to be expected in the near future.
With the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines, countries are beginning to imagine a future in which workers’ and employers’ choices are not conditioned by the pandemic. The crisis hit everyone hard but also generated an opportunity. It has shown that workers with suitable jobs can efficiently work remotely, with no negative implications for their productivity or performance. From a European Union policy perspective, there is a clear opportunity to build on the lesson from the pandemic and create the conditions for hybrid work models within the single market, meanwhile European stakeholders, such as trade unions and business federations should grab that opportunity and start an EU dialogue between employers, employees and governments.
With this in mind, the event will address the following questions:
- What will offices look like in 2025? Will on-site and remote workers efficiently work together?
- What are the risks, the challenges that employers need to address?
- Is there a role for public policy to unlock remote work potential while ensuring workers’ well-being?
- What are the likely macro implications of enhanced workers’ geographical mobility?
© Bruegel
