Lynn Pearcey, MBA, Senior Copywriter, AIA 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:
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.
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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.