Newsletter May 2020

Recruiters for the Copier Channel® for more than 30 years, Copier Careers® has been the only recruiting firm exclusively dedicated to connecting Copier Channel employers with experienced service technicians, copier sales representatives, sales managers, service & operations managers, controllers, support staff, and MPS/MNS experts. Start your month off right with the Newsletter May 2020: Copier Channel news and career advice. Search copier jobs now.

IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER
Rethinking the Office Post COVID-19
News from Copier Careers
Sound Off: How is COVID-19 Affecting Your Work Life?
Poll-of-the-Month: What do you expect at your office after COVID-19?

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Rethinking the Office Post COVID-19

In the midst of this pandemic it’s still important to look ahead to life post COVID-19. But with this unprecedented global disruption, no one can be sure how things will shake out.

China Continues Precautions, Tweaks Work Hours

Many are using China to predict what we might expect. The BBC reports many Chinese workers prefer returning to the office, citing efficiency and technology problems with remote work. Offices that have reopened require the use of masks, temperature checks, continued social distancing and increased testing. Chinese companies are also allowing for flexible or staggered work hours. Staggering commute times and office occupancy helps to reduce crowds and potential exposure.

Interestingly, the BBC also reports the Jiangxi province in East China implemented a voluntary 2.5-day weekend to encourage consumer spending. This extended time coupled with half-price tickets to scenic spots and travel vouchers is intended to encourage tourism consumption. The region’s companies can use their discretion on how to implement a reduced work week, if at all.

US Companies Consider Office Redesigns

There’s been a lot of speculation on how offices can be redesigned to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. Articles are spit-balling ideas that range from the practical to the sci-fi – automatic doors, voice controlled elevators, floor markers to reinforce safe distances, increased air filtration, sanitizing UV lights, etc.

Other office trends may be on the chopping block. The open office design, already highly criticized, is even less appealing to the pandemic-minded. Many, in fact, are calling for the return of the cubicle or other partitions in the design of the new six-foot office.

With concerns about shared spaces, the entire coworking office model may be in peril. This, in turn, could spell a shakeup in office real estate. For example, WeWork is the largest tenant in New York City with 9 million square feet of space. According to Marketplace, “if even half that space is left vacant, it’s very difficult for the commercial real estate market to absorb it – especially during an economic downtown – which could result in decreased office rents.”

What We Do Know

What we do know is that we will get through this. This industry is essential for getting businesses up and running at full strength again. We’ve been seeing and hearing encouraging signs of movement recently. So from all of us here at Copier Careers, we hope you stay safe and stay positive – we’ll get through this together.

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Copier Careers Delays 2020 Salary Surveys

Since 2001, Copier Careers has published annual salary surveys for Copier Channel professionals. These surveys have been published in the wake of 9/11, throughout the Great Recession and the following economic recovery. Years affected by regional natural disasters, national scandals and industry shakeups have still seen our salary surveys released.

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting us with unprecedented economic upheaval on a global scale. We know we will get through this but we don’t know what things will look like on the other side.

This crisis is causing all businesses to pivot and adjust to the situation, pitching in where they can. Already the Copier Channel has been trusted to help during the crisis from supporting remote work, to keeping essential offices running, to developing COVID-19 tests, to manufacturing medical supplies.

The pandemic and global bootstrapping in response has fundamentally changed the 2020 business landscape. We’ve been collecting our salary data for each of the 2020 surveys since our 2019 surveys were published in June, July, August and December. However, the data collected before March comes from a completely different economic context than what we’re seeing today. Furthermore, any analysis offered right now won’t have much bearing on the industry that emerges when this is over.

For this reason, Copier Careers will be delaying the publication of our annual salary surveys this year. We are still collecting data, still working with our clients and candidates, still talking to industry professionals about their experiences during this crisis. We will be better able to offer useful, big-picture industry analysis in the new context when the pandemic has passed. Until then, visit our News & Resources page and keep an eye out for our monthly newsletters for industry updates, COVID-19 news and careers advice. 

Read more news from around the industry on our News & Resources page.

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Sound Off

Our readers respond to last month’s poll question

We’ve all been facing an unprecedented situation this spring. We wrote last month that we wanted to hear from you about your situation, your needs and your hopes for the future. Thank you to everyone who has called in, sent an email or commented on our poll – we’ve been very encouraged by how y’all are hanging in there! For our poll, we asked how COVID-19 is affecting your work life. We had a solid turnout of 12,930 votes this month!

The results were fairly evenly split this month. Across the nation, we’re all facing the pandemic together but it’s affecting our work in different ways. 17% of you are working from home while another 17% are working while social distancing. Another 17% have been furloughed for the time being. 15% are working reduced hours while 14% are working with reduced pay. 12% have unfortunately been laid off while 2% have been terminated. Only 6% indicate they’ve had no change.

As you’ll read in the comments below, it’s been difficult for all of us. We see how hard many of you are working to stay positive. This is a tight-knit community and many of you expressed your hopes for everyone to stay safe.

Others are venting their understandable frustration, especially if they’re out of work. This is an area we can help you with – many companies are still continuing their hiring process via text, email, phone and video chat. We’ve been seeing the signs that business is starting to move again – now is the time to update your resume and let us get your qualifications in front of potential employers.

POLL QUESTION: