Back to the future: post-pandemic work and management

Abstract

PurposeAs the world emerges from the COVID-19 global pandemic and medical emergency, the author looks at the impacts on the world of work and its management and also tries to set them in some context. This study aims to discuss the aforementioned idea.Design/methodology/approachThe author uses some of the latest global and comparative media and survey research as well as some theories to explore the topic of post-pandemic work and management.FindingsWork – and its management – is impacted on by crisis, such as the pandemic, for twin inter-locking reasons. First, it engenders uncertainty, which comes in different degrees and levels and variability in people's comfortableness with it. Second, the commensurate jolt of a crisis can block existing models and force common experimentation, even in areas previously resisted, such as more flexible working patterns. There are a variety of short and longer term reasons for both changes to work and management and also responses and commitment to them by management and organisations.Originality/valueThe author details the impact of both the COVID-19 pandemic and wider contextual changes on the world of work. The author notes a set of reasons, both practical and theoretical, as to why flexible or hybrid working, while sometimes seen as a problem, can work. The author shows that rather than a simple “either-or” dichotomy in choice and support for post-pandemic work arrangements, there is a range of options.