One thing we have learnt from the global pandemic is how quickly and easily businesses have adapted the workplace as and when needed. Businesses are working outside their headquarters, which is made possible by accessing flexible space solutions and working-from-home. All achieved without losing productivity, maintaining compliance, and driving innovation.
Figuring out workplace strategies will be an ongoing challenge as organisations continue experimenting what works best to maintain the right office density, be health and safety compliant, and improve employee happiness.
Here is a guide for workplace models that executives can consider adopting as part of their real estate procurement strategies.
Procure more space to maintain adequate office density
Physical distancing is still critical to consider when it comes to employee health. The current strategy applied by many businesses is rotating staff between the office and home; however, this is not sustainable because it requires the procurement of more space. Doing so involves more costs and long-term lease commitments.
This is when flexible space solutions become essential. For instance, at Johnson Corner, businesses can utilise space for 30 employees but provide passes to 60 employees. This not only reduces the procurement cost but also, provides flexibility to adjust occupancy as and when needed during uncertain times.
Flexible workspaces can quickly help you adjust occupancy in your office without committing to long-term lease commitments or investing in upfront setup costs. Building relationships with flexible workspace providers will make procurement fast when required; whether for a dedicated project team or a short term solution to manage office density or an alternative to working-from-home to achieve the desired employee happiness goals.
Decentralise the office to create more choices for employees
Commuting to work is a concern for employees during a pandemic. A solution is to distribute your workforce across satellite offices by accessing flexible workspace solutions. This allows them to work safely in a healthy environment and commute safely too.
Establishing relationships with flexible workspace operators close to where employees live will help allows.
A combination of work-from-home and near home office options
Another way you can ensure productivity while maintaining safety and costs down is allowing employees to work from home and at an office space near their home and trusting employees to decide where and when they work best.
At Johnson Corner, employees can work in a shared space a few days a week and spend the rest at home. They can also prefer to have a private office space to maintain to ensure team productivity for a specific project.
As we navigate life and work during a pandemic; procuring flexible office spaces for employees will help personalise and prioritise employee well-being and productivity.
Flexible workspace solutions can also help businesses navigate unexpected scenarios such as scaling down or up and decentralising the workforce.