Toronto, ON – As the world navigates how to live with COVID-19 and many places prepare for a “new normal,” Avison Young is putting people – and their distinct, personal needs – at the heart of our return to office plans for both our clients and our own employees. Critically, returning to the office will be voluntary for Avison Young employees who can perform their duties remotely through December 31, 2020.

“We have employees working tirelessly on site to keep our clients’ buildings and projects running and safe. So many employees have brilliantly adapted to working from home and wish to eventually return to the office. And, what is most important for us as a people-centric company, we have employees managing complex parenting, caregiving and mental and physical health concerns,” said Mark Rose, Chair and CEO of Avison Young. “It is incumbent upon us as leaders to support and prioritize their total wellbeing by removing whatever extra pressure returning to the office during a pandemic may present.”

By offering flexibility to our people, we are balancing the desires of those eager to get back into the office and those who need to continue working remotely, all while prioritizing safe, healthy work environments. Through these unprecedented times, our people have responded admirably and are working harder than ever to deliver for our clients and for our business. In our approach, we are taking an informed and conservative view on the reintroduction of staff in the workplace based on the best practices of HR and real estate.