IS WORKING FROM HOME HERE TO STAY AFTER THE PANDEMIC?

The question is whether employees will want to return to offices when allowed

With so many West Islanders telecommuting due to the pandemic, I wonder if it's a trend that will continue for suburbanites once COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public are rolled out over the next few months.

Working from home can also mean running a small business, which isn't something new for West Islanders. About 15 years ago, I used a Dorval notary working from a home office who had one person on staff.

The city of Pointe-claire tackled the subject in 2016, tabling a bylaw amendment to encourage residents who might want to permanently operate administrative offices for professional services (such as accounting or computer support), personal services (health care and hairdressing) or artisanal activities (sculpture and painting) from the comfort of their own home.

Last month, city council unanimously approved a request for a professional office as an additional use in a newly constructed home. Since October 2016, Pointe-claire has issued about 10 of these permits, so there is some demand, but it's not yet widespread in a city with a population of 33,715.

Dorval also has some set rules on professional businesses based in a home: No parking space can be dedicated exclusively to this use; a maximum of one employee is allowed; the floor area dedicated to this additional use may not exceed 25 per cent of the total floor area of the dwelling, without exceeding 25 square metres.

Municipal officials noted that an employee who is required to telecommute due to the pandemic does not need a permit.

Once the number of positive COVID -19 cases diminishes, will those who were forced to work from home since last March return to an office setting later this year? Mcgill University has already announced that in-person teaching will return next fall, so the wheels are in motion. However, if a company offers the option, I anticipate workers who successfully transitioned to telecommuting will want to continue that practice — even after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination.

Reducing car travel is a possible benefit from encouraging home-based businesses and telecommuting, but will it keep the future REM light-rail network from booming in and around Montreal?

For West Islanders who do go back to work downtown, or head to the city centre for shopping and cultural events, the REM should become the prime option.

The economic slowdown and job cuts related to the pandemic could result in a new entrepreneurial spirit, based out of necessity, which will encourage more home-based businesses to start up.

Technology has made telecommuting a realistic option and it seems people have adapted to working online from home, holding virtual meetings or communicating with their managers remotely.

Companies that refuse to offer or invest in telecommuting might become dinosaurs of the business community in the near future.