After three years of dealing with the uncertainty of the pandemic, people are physically returning to work and interacting with others due to decreased pandemic restrictions. This is impacting office dynamics as transactions that used to be done face-to-face, like routing email communications, were done through other channels like phone calls and social media during the pandemic to minimize interactions. Now in the post-pandemic setting, colleagues are once again able to interact and foster collaboration. Organizations must cope with changing times in the workplace to deliver outcomes that benefit the entire organization.

1. POST-PANDEMIC TRANSITION IN AN OFFICE
SETTING
By: Glaiza M. Sarmiento
The World Health Organization
defines post-pandemic as a “decrease of
pandemic surveillance due to a decrease
in pandemic outbreak". After three years
of dealing with the uncertainty brought
about by the pandemic, people are
physically returning to the workplace
and interacting with others. And just last
year, the wearing of face masks in indoor
and outdoor spaces has been voluntary
through the issuance of Executive Order
No. 07 dated October 28, 2022. But how
does this impact the transactions in the
workplace? How does the easing out of
restrictions translate to office dynamics?
I remember one particular
transaction in the office concerning the
routing of communications received
through electronic mail. Before the
pandemic, we used to bring the
document to the office of the concerned
personnel. But during the pandemic, we
utilized other channels of
communication like through telephone
call and sending/uploading the
document through our social media
account. This way, we minimize our face-
to-face interaction with our colleagues
but at the same time still accomplishing
our assigned tasks.
And in the post-pandemic setting,
we are once again able to interact with
our colleagues and foster collaboration
and camaraderie in the workplace.
Essentially, we need to cope with
the changing times in the workplace so
we can deliver the best outcomes that will
benefit the entire organization. In the
end, the contribution we make no matter
how small we think, will significantly
contribute to the overall performance of
the organization.