The long-awaited distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has begun. This mass vaccination effort is expected to last several months, perhaps up to a couple of years, depending on several factors including geographic location, vaccine effectiveness against virus variants, and unfortunately, local economic wealth.
As herd immunity is in view for some countries, the time has come for business leaders to consider workplace re-opening plans. Some office buildings and other workplaces may never reopen, while others transform to accommodate a hybrid workforce (remote and in-person). Likewise, some employees may make the shift to permanent work at home, and most will now expect some sort of flexibility in their working arrangements1.
In Vynamic’s third COVID-19 Business Response Insight, we focus on what business leaders should consider in planning “return to workplace” now that vaccines are becoming more widely available.
(Read the first two Insights in our series on Initial Re-Opening and Leading During the Pre-Vaccination Phase.)
As referenced in our previous two Insights, we continue to see three key focus areas as people get back to the workplace:
Read on as we explore each of these areas in greater detail below.
Re-opening physical workplaces
We are well on our way to getting “back to normal.”
The CDC has released guidelines for what those who have been vaccinated can safely do2. For example, two vaccinated individuals can now safely be in a room together, with neither masks nor physical distancing. Likewise, a vaccinated individual can be indoors, with no masks and with no physical distancing, with an unvaccinated individual at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease. However, we are not out of the woods yet, and a number of countries in the EU (France3 and Germany4, among others) are experiencing fresh waves of the disease, even as vaccines are distributed and hope is on the horizon.
Opinions vary on when we will reach herd immunity in the United States or globally5. We are already seeing sports fans back in arenas and government restrictions are beginning to loosen, despite warnings from many experts in our medical and scientific communities not to forego safety precautions too soon.
The various opinions available on the “right” approach to re-opening can be overwhelming to navigate and apply directly to your business, so as you define your re-opening plan, we recommend taking a moment for introspection. Revisit your company’s core values, vision, and mission statement as you make these important decisions, and you can rest assured that you are making the right call.
The status of the vaccine rollout, be it access to supply, local government readiness, or distribution infrastructure, varies widely across the globe. In some countries, like Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom, there is adequate access to supply of at least one of several vaccines. And, while experiencing a few hiccups, the distribution infrastructure is largely working. However, there are some countries either struggling to secure a supply or grappling with infrastructure challenges (some regions of some countries are also doing better than others within the same country).
When considering reopening prior to achieving some form of herd immunity, we suggest considering the following:
Internal considerations
As you examine your re-opening plan, review your organization’s strategic imperatives. What are you trying to achieve over the next 2-3 years, and how will the steps you take towards re-opening help or hinder those imperatives?
Also consider:
Personal considerations
As this pandemic hopefully begins to draw to a close, each person’s willingness to return to an office building may depend on their own vaccination status and general access to vaccines in their local geography. We recommend leading with empathy and compassion for each employee’s unique experiences with COVID-19 and for their personal vaccination decision. As with all the questions posed thus far, now is a critical time to lean into your company’s values to identify the best return-to-workplace approach that considers both the personal safety (both physical and psychological) and preferences of your employees.
Additionally, leaders should consider the following in determining return-to-workplace plans:
With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in sight for some countries, many are wondering what our “new normal” will look like. A couple of key themes have already emerged:
As the global vaccination campaign continues, business leaders will need to not only consider the external, internal, and personal factors we outlined here, but also keep their eye on the future, both near-term and long-term.
Stay tuned for our fourth and final Insight in our COVID-19 Response series, where we will dive into “Future Preparedness” later this year.
Need help? Contact us to explore if Vynamic can help your Return-to-Workplace initiatives or broader strategic planning to prepare your organization for a more resilient future.
Citations:
Vynamic, an Inizio Advisory company, is a leading management consulting partner to global health organizations across Life Sciences, Health Services, and Health Technology. Founded and headquartered in Philadelphia, Vynamic has offices in Boston, Durham NC, New York, and London. Our purpose is simple: We believe there is a better way. We are passionate about shaping the future of health, and for more than 20 years we’ve helped clients transform by connecting strategy to action.
Through a structured, yet flexible delivery model, our accomplished leaders work as an extension of client teams, enabling growth, performance, and culture. Vynamic has been recognized by organizations like Great Place to Work and Business Culture Awards for being leaders and innovators in consulting, company culture, and health. Visit Vynamic.com to discover how we can help transform your
organization or your career.
Colleen Lawlor
Bring clarity to complexity and ensure a successful Alliance Launch with a cohesive culture, streamlined processes, and efficient asset management.
Read more
Tamaron Bertelli
This structured approach guides Med Affairs leaders in executing micro-transformations to drive meaningful impact for your organization and patients.
Read more
Jess Werle
Embrace MedTech's future by blending field and digital strategies to boost sales effectiveness, unleash the power of data, and stand out in the market
Read more