The coronavirus crisis upset the way businesses operate in 2020. Firstly, because many of them have been forced to close and place their employees on short-time work.

Secondly, because habits that have been anchored for years have been disrupted, in particular with the emergence of teleworking.

What will we remember from this year 2020, marked by the coronavirus, in the corporate world?

Of course, the violence of the economic shock which has forced several hundred thousand businesses (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theaters, events, etc.) to remain closed for months and to put their employees on short-time work.

But we will also remember, in the sectors that have been able to continue to operate, upheavals that few bosses and employees imagined possible.

In particular, the emergence of very high dose teleworking.

Five million employees in the private sector have in fact, suddenly, in mid-March, deserted their office and settled at home with their computer.

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Charles Robinet-Duffo will remember this sequence all his life.

At the head of the Henner group, a brokerage and social protection services group, he had to ensure, without being able to anticipate, the continuation of the smooth running of his business and the link with his teams (1,500 employees in total).

"We never imagined having to change the way we work for our clients to such an extent", testifies this boss.

"In a few days, we went from very little teleworking to 85% of collaborators teleworking. And this at the same time on our sites in France and abroad (Singapore, Portugal) whereas the health measures were not the same as in France. "   

"It was rather positive, at least when you think that this period is going to end"

2020 is also the year when the mask became de rigueur in the open spaces, where it was necessary to put directions of movement in the corridors ... The year, finally, in which videoconference meetings were imposed.

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"To be frank, we were used to classic meetings. It taught us to work differently. It was rather positive, in any case, when we think that this period will end," continues Charles Robinet-Duffo.

"On the other hand, the second confinement was more delicate, because a situation like this which continues is not entirely favorable to the proper functioning of the company".

Obviously, there will remain something of all these upheavals, says the boss of the Henner group.

But strongly, all the same, the return of real life in business.