In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic brought immediate attention to the potential of remote work. Two years later, remote work – and digital workplaces – are here to stay. Even when companies opt for a hybrid or onsite working model, the benefits of the digital workplace can be felt.
Implemented successfully, a digital workplace can standardize and streamline the employee user experience (UX); optimize productivity by allowing employees to easily shift focus between digital platforms; and improve compliance practices through digital security measures.
Digital workplaces are widely popular with employees. This is especially true for millennials and members of Generation Z, who are less likely to compartmentalize their work and home lives. Remote work can have an empowering effect, as employees can work from a location of their choice, collaborate with team members in other cities, and be present for at-home emergencies that might occur during the workday.
Establishing a digital workplace can also positively impact the attraction and retention of talent. According to The Reimagined Workplace 2023, a study published by The Conference Board, organizations across many sectors have had trouble finding and retaining in-office workers. Of companies that mandate in-person work, 71% experienced problems with retention. When this survey question was posed to companies that do not mandate in-person work, only 46% reported the same issue.
Bringing a workplace online is not absent of challenges. For one, companies must establish an agile information technology (IT) infrastructure that can support remote employees, identify cyber threats, and maintain robust digital security.