Page 93 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

to shop at are not-to-be as they no longer As for the Construction industry, well how But I expect that the majority of employees
exist. At some point when we are fully open do you build a building or development will still be required to be at the place of
for business, many replacement stores and remotely? A few of the positions, at least in their employment.
restaurants will fill the void. the pre-development stage, can be conducted
remotely with your architect or engineer, but
Financial institutions, except banks, were once permits are issued, and it is time to start
able to operate remotely in the home as long construction of the project this becomes an
as there were secure software keeping the all-hands-on task interacting with others.
client’s information and funds secure. But
operating from the home did not allow for Industry has had a major impact within
new clients to be easily acquired. the workplace. While many of the office
positions could be conducted remotely, the
The Movie industry, during COVID, became majority of the workforce was furloughed as
at a standstill as it is nearly impossible to our worldwide supply chain was temporarily
produce new feature films from a home office. severed due to COVID. For those industrial COURTLAND HOLMAN
What you are seeing today was produced businesses that did not shut down, the vast BSME, PCED
prior to COVID. The news media, radio, majority of the employees still reported to
and similar venues have been fortunate to the job site. Industrial jobs for the majority EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FREEPORT
operate remotely but thankfully they have of the workforce are hands-on. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
been able to do this for many years. Still, CORPORATION
the quality of interaction between people For the majority of people that were required
in this media suffered. to work at home, this was wonderful for a map-
time. Then cabin fever started to set in as
Sporting events are entirely a multi-player, humans are a social animal and we desired 200 West Second Street
physical interaction between the participants interaction with our co-workers. I expect Suite 232,
on the field and social interaction with the working from home has had an impact on Freeport, TX 77541
crowd, not so much that can be accomplished employee, health, evaluation and promotion,
remotely. During COVID, the majority of but time will tell. phon
sporting events were either canceled, greatly (+1) 979.871.0117 direct
reduced or just the players themselves decided While some people working from home
not to play. likely increased work production, I wonder enve
if it is true for the majority. It is great to have cholman@freeport.tx.us
City government employees, for a time, could better flexibility to do our work, take a break glob
work remotely; however, this only worked for a for a few hours then come back at a later
short time. The majority of city staff employees time by increasing the workday instead of www.freeport.tx.us
in the field such as public works, parks, first the regular 9 to 5.
responders, police, and fire and emergency
services. These positions require public So, what is the future of the office environment
interactions and cannot be accomplished and working remotely from home? Is it on
remotely from the home office. The planning the decline or are we currently experiencing
and code enforcement departments still need a temporary situation? There definitely is
to meet with developers as construction did a niche for a minority of employees that
not stop. can work and thrive at the home office.

93. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL