The Future of the Workplace
In this blog, we’re taking a look at the data and expert opinion available currently, on what the future holds for the traditional workplace post-Covid. The past year has seen a massive shift in how we live our lives and working environments are no exception. In the majority of cases, companies with office space, particularly open-plan environments have seen their work force switch to remote-working.
There are benefits to working from home. Less commuting can lead to less associated stress as well as having a positive impact on sustainability and the environment. A better work-life balance is also being discovered especially for parents who find themselves more readily available to their kids. Some remote workers have also indicated that there are less distractions at home than there are in the office too. However, the longer the pandemic rumbles on, the greater the need to return to the office becomes for a lot of employees. How many times have you found yourself asking a question that you know a colleague could answer for you in a split-second? While collaboration software has seen a large increase in users during the pandemic, it will never be as efficient as speaking with someone just the length of a desk away. These ‘communication gaps’ are one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome for remote workers. In fact, social interaction in general is so important to us. Without regular contact, many remote workers have begun to feel lonely and isolated. This lack of social interaction can also lead to difficulties with motivation and productivity. A big point to consider, particularly for SME’s is that when an employee works from home they can suffer from having to manage everything themselves, i.e. meeting targets, an increased workload, access to physical files and equipment they need as well as creating a suitable workstation and resolving IT and connectivity issues as they arise.
So what does the future of the workplace look like with all this in mind? Certainly there are is going to be a section of the workforce who may wish to remain working from home. A recent survey has found that “over a third of employees want their staff to return to the workplace for all or most of the time”. The interesting thing here is that the largest portion of those surveyed favour a mix of remote working and workplace-based working when current restrictions are eased. This is what our own research has shown as well as the feedback we receive from our international furniture manufacturers. At the recent ‘Virtual Interiors 2021’ event, Rosie Haslem and Kara Carter of the exploratory architectural design firm Spacelab discussed their own research into this topic. Rosie and Kara say that “workplace evolution will lead to less defined boundaries and support greater autonomy and choice”. They foresee many offices repurposing their space which typically consists of 25% shared amenities and 75% desk space as things were, into something closer to a 50/50 split. This would allow for sections of employees to work from home part of the week and the rest of the time in the office. Thus re-establishing collaboration, team building and eliminating communication gaps as well as creating newer, more agile work processes.
Companies will need to take a look at their existing footprint and take a fresh approach to adjust it for the post-Covid world. Some are already looking at moving location to city centre ‘hubs’ which may suit a younger workforce, while others will relocate to near-suburban business parks to reduce the commute for many. We have already been contacted by a number of our large clients about reconfiguring their existing workspace. One thing is for certain, now is the time to do so. A safe environment for employees to meet, collaborate and work in is still required, but some reinvention can help push an organisation and its workforce even further towards their objectives post-Covid.
If you wish to explore the possibilities for your workspace post-Covid, get in touch with us by email sales@officemaster.ie or call (051) 876995 for our Waterford Office and (021) 2066100 for our Cork Office.
The Future of the Workplace
In this blog, we’re taking a look at the data and expert opinion available currently, on what the future holds for the traditional workplace post-Covid. The past year has seen a massive shift in how we live our lives and working environments are no exception. In the majority of cases, companies with office space, particularly open-plan environments have seen their work force switch to remote-working.
There are benefits to working from home. Less commuting can lead to less associated stress as well as having a positive impact on sustainability and the environment. A better work-life balance is also being discovered especially for parents who find themselves more readily available to their kids. Some remote workers have also indicated that there are less distractions at home than there are in the office too. However, the longer the pandemic rumbles on, the greater the need to return to the office becomes for a lot of employees. How many times have you found yourself asking a question that you know a colleague could answer for you in a split-second? While collaboration software has seen a large increase in users during the pandemic, it will never be as efficient as speaking with someone just the length of a desk away. These ‘communication gaps’ are one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome for remote workers. In fact, social interaction in general is so important to us. Without regular contact, many remote workers have begun to feel lonely and isolated. This lack of social interaction can also lead to difficulties with motivation and productivity. A big point to consider, particularly for SME’s is that when an employee works from home they can suffer from having to manage everything themselves, i.e. meeting targets, an increased workload, access to physical files and equipment they need as well as creating a suitable workstation and resolving IT and connectivity issues as they arise.
So what does the future of the workplace look like with all this in mind? Certainly there are is going to be a section of the workforce who may wish to remain working from home. A recent survey has found that “over a third of employees want their staff to return to the workplace for all or most of the time”. The interesting thing here is that the largest portion of those surveyed favour a mix of remote working and workplace-based working when current restrictions are eased. This is what our own research has shown as well as the feedback we receive from our international furniture manufacturers. At the recent ‘Virtual Interiors 2021’ event, Rosie Haslem and Kara Carter of the exploratory architectural design firm Spacelab discussed their own research into this topic. Rosie and Kara say that “workplace evolution will lead to less defined boundaries and support greater autonomy and choice”. They foresee many offices repurposing their space which typically consists of 25% shared amenities and 75% desk space as things were, into something closer to a 50/50 split. This would allow for sections of employees to work from home part of the week and the rest of the time in the office. Thus re-establishing collaboration, team building and eliminating communication gaps as well as creating newer, more agile work processes.
Companies will need to take a look at their existing footprint and take a fresh approach to adjust it for the post-Covid world. Some are already looking at moving location to city centre ‘hubs’ which may suit a younger workforce, while others will relocate to near-suburban business parks to reduce the commute for many. We have already been contacted by a number of our large clients about reconfiguring their existing workspace. One thing is for certain, now is the time to do so. A safe environment for employees to meet, collaborate and work in is still required, but some reinvention can help push an organisation and its workforce even further towards their objectives post-Covid.
If you wish to explore the possibilities for your workspace post-Covid, get in touch with us by email sales@officemaster.ie or call (051) 876995 for our Waterford Office and (021) 2066100 for our Cork Office.
