Contract documents

September 6th, 2024

Introduction

In 2020, the world changed, thanks to Covid-19. Covid-19 was a global pandemic that cost precious lives, stunted careers, derailed finances, and wreaked havoc on the planet in ways that, even now, nearly half a decade later, are still being processed. People are still adjusting, recalibrating, and reclaiming their lives, and moving forward and defining their new normal, and that includes how they approach working.

Physical touch and connectivity, two ideals that have always been central to the organic growth that fuels workplaces, were cautioned during COVID-19 as the highly contagious virus was known to thrive within those dynamics. Although touching, connecting, gathering, and other essential ingredients in the workplace mix were prohibited, the work still had to be done. As such, remote working became the norm.

As the remote concept became more ingrained in the daily work routines, the question of whether returning to the traditional office was warranted came about. For years, corporations resisted the urge to allow their staff to work remotely for fear that productivity and quality of work would dip. The pandemic proved otherwise, causing workers and leaders to wonder if the days of facilities being an integral part of the corporate success mix were over and if returning to the office was worth the hassle.

The question of returning has been answered to some degree as the trickle back to the office continues, bringing to the fore whether facilities are obsolete. The answer has proven to be a resounding no. The role of facilities is different nowadays, but the need for durable, functional locations that spawn creativity and growth has never been stronger. In fact, while some wondered if facilities would become obsolete, leaders can argue that facilities and especially the personnel managing them are more essential now than ever.

Lessons learned

The pandemic forced the workplace to pause, and in some sense, get to know their facility, and the people who care for them, Facility Managers. For so long, they were shadow figures only coming out when there was a major malfunction, failure, or emergency. But languishing in the throes of Covid-19 shined a light on the value Facility Managers bring, and taught them several lessons including the following:

• Re-branded Facility Managers: Before Covid-19, most Facility Managers were viewed as the guy who had all the keys, but coming out of it, they’re now viewed as a key member of the corporate vision. Facilities are still valued assets, but their functionalities have changed considerably, and no one knew how to manage this shift better than the Facility Manager.
• Introduced new challenges: Different usages are now the norm as employees no longer view the office as a singular destination. Now, they see the facility as more of an incubator where they meet and hatch ideas before returning to remote locations to cultivate them.
• Forged a deeper connection: Managing a facility is a chaotic process with moving challenges that professionals must prioritize to keep the operation flowing. The pause of the pandemic gave Facility Managers a moment of clarity and time to focus, hone their crafts, and drive a deeper connection with the facility, allowing them to more effectively serve their constituents.

Conclusion

Covid-19 was a signature moment for this generation that left an indelible imprint on all facets of life. It brought hardships and lessons that will reshape our way of living and working. The pandemic also allowed professionals to view their facility, and the ones in charge or managing it, in a different light.

Save time and minimize risk with the most trusted contracts in the construction industry – powered by AIA Contract Documents’ next-generation platform, Catina. Request a Demo Here.

AIA Contract Documents has provided this article for general informational purposes only. The information provided is not legal opinion or legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship of any kind. This article is also not intended to provide guidance as to how project parties should interpret their specific contracts or resolve contract disputes, as those decisions will need to be made in consultation with legal counsel, insurance counsel, and other professionals, and based upon a multitude of factors.