We know by now that things aren't going to return to the way they used to be. Maybe after some time, but likely never. The pandemic has made that clear. It's also paved the way for the future: a dynamic workplace that includes the necessities of in-person working and collaboration, along with the kind of personal safety and flexibility to which we've become accustomed during the pandemic.

HR and operations executives are already hard at work changing our physical spaces. Once in vogue, the open, densely populated floor plan will soon be a relic, like the in-office bunk beds of the dot-com era. Changes will be more than simply functional, however. The workplace of the near future contemplates the permanence of some level of remote work and the flexibility to facilitate dynamic collaboration, all while prioritizing personal safety. In fact, according to a Pulse Survey published by the Harvard Business Review, 83% of corporate respondents believe a more attractive and flexible work environment is essential to acquiring the talent they need.