Jonathan Gueverra, The College of the Florida Keys

Universities have demonstrated that not all employees need to be on campus to be productive. Even if you do not want all employees operating remotely 100% of the time, why not consider a staggered or modified schedule that allows some portion of workers to function remotely while others are performing on campus? Metrics based on productivity or other standards would allow evidence to determine one's eligibility to work remotely. This model offers several potential benefits and for more than just the institution:

Institutions that require less office space will save on utility costs and will need smaller parking lots.
If enough universities adopt this model, there will be fewer employee commuters, and this, along with the smaller footprint, could lead to lower carbon emissions.
A reduction in the number of commuters leads to less traffic congestion and ultimately shorter commutes that result in fewer accidents, hospitalizations and loss of life, and less stress on our first responders.
The hybrid office that combines in-house and remote employees offers more far-reaching and flexible modes of teamwork and collaboration.

There is evidence that these strategies, if employed post-pandemic, could reshape our environment. "Two new studies in AGU's journal Geophysical Research Letters find nitrogen dioxide pollution over northern China, Western Europe and the U.S. decreased by as much as 60 percent in early 2020 as compared to the same time last year. Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas produced during combustion that has many harmful effects on the lungs. The gas typically enters the atmosphere through emissions from vehicles, power plants and industrial activities."

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Lock the pre-pandemic closet for planet and people

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