According to the PwC’s COVID-19 CFO Pulse Survey: Africa Report, most CFOs are making plans focused on tactical measures to protect staff, followed by strategic measures around remote work and automation. For example, 76% of CFOs are considering workplace safety measures and requirements such as masks and testing, and 65% say they will reconfigure work sites to promote physical distancing.
Given the need to limit the number of people in close contact, about half (49%) of CFOs are considering making remote work a permanent option where feasible, which corresponds to another finding: 72% of CFOs say that the work flexibility they have created in response to the crisis will benefit their company in the long run. Of course, the success of remote work will be driven by the opportunities that businesses create for employees to interact, learn and be part of a community.