One year with COVID: Pandemic changed how Mainers work Work from anywhere likely to be permanent way of doing business Share Updated: 10:31 PM EST Mar 10, 2021 Work from anywhere likely to be permanent way of doing business Share Updated: 10:31 PM EST Mar 10, 2021
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Show Transcript FOREVER? REMOTE WORK WAS HAPPENING EVEN PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC STEVE. BUT THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, HOWEVER UNFORTUNATE IT. IS THAT ONE OF THE SILVER LININGS IS IT HAS REALLY ACCELERATED TRENDS OF REMOTE WORKING BY AT LEAST A DECADE RAJ CHOUDHURY HAS BEEN STUDYING REMOTE WORKING AS A PROFESSOR AT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL LONG BEFORE MOST US KNOW WHAT ZOOM WAS OR HOW MUCH OUR LIVES WOULD ALL CHANGE IF BUSINESSES ARE JUST TRYING TO GO RIGHT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE. IS THAT A MISTAKE IN YOUR VIEW? IS I DON’T THINK WE SHOULD RUSH BACK TO WHERE THE WORLD WAS IN 2019. WELL MANY OF US WERE FORCED TO ADAPT TO WORK FROM HOME DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS. HE SAYS
EqualityMaine, in the Equality Community Center in Portland.
In addition to embracing just people from out of state, companies need to attract and retain a broader mix of diversity to survive and thrive.
The larger companies in the state, which have large human resources departments to build diversity training, have been on the forefront of DEI efforts in recent years, says Gia Drew, program director of Equality Maine.
“Major corporations have driven DEI. There’s pressure globally to be a good corporate citizen. People are making an effort and making steps in the last few years,” Drew says.
Still, work needs to be done. For example, nationally, 46% of LGBTQ+ employees are not open about their sexual orientation at work, Drew says.
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As COVID-19 vaccinations become more readily available to the general public, companies will be facing a decision: In order to ensure a safer workplace, should employees be required to show proof of inoculation?
Also, would such a mandate be lawful?
Laura Rideout, an attorney with Portland law firm Preti Flaherty’s labor and employment practice group, said certain industries indeed may impose such requirements in order to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. Still, an informal survey of major employers in Maine by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram found that none have any immediate plans to require their workers to be vaccinated.
Here s how the pandemic has changed work forever
By
Kathryn Vasel, CNN Business
Published Dec 22, 2020 6:12:10 AM
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(CNN) The pandemic disrupted when, where and how we work.
Companies were forced to become remote overnight and workers proved they can still be productive without being in the office. Or having a 9-to-5 schedule. Or face-to-face meetings. Or traveling.
But as vaccines roll out and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting a little closer, how many of these pandemic changes will last?
While some companies can t wait to get back to business as usual, others are going all in on remote work.