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After the upheaval and rapid change brought about by the pandemic, organizations are eager to identify the right work solution going forward.
The big question is, what does the ideal pattern of work look like?
Multiple surveys and research studies have been carried out revealing the pros and cons of remote work, office work, and everything between.
In a Microsoft survey (March 2021), 73% of workers said they want flexible remote work to continue, while at the same time, 67% were craving more in-person time with their teams.
It’s a personal preference as well as a professional one. Ultimately, employees want the best of both worlds – but they’re not prepared to let go of their newfound flexibility.
To find a middle ground, many companies are now seeking a hybrid work option.
This typically means allowing employees to split their working week with 2-3 days at home, and the remaining days in the office.
In fact, the same Microsoft survey found that 66% of business decision makers are considering redesigning physical spaces to better accommodate hybrid work environments.
It’s important to do your own research to find out what your staff wants in a hybrid work arrangement. Some people are naturally drawn to a sociable office setting and would happily spend 4-5 days in the workplace, while others prefer the quiet and convenience of working from home – and want to spend most of their time there.
Why give your people the choice? Why not just go back to your pre-pandemic normal?
Having experimented with remote work, many people have come to value the newfound flexibility, trust, and autonomy that comes with it.
So much so, there is now a growing number of employees that are choosing to quit their jobs rather than go back to the office full time. One survey carried out in May 2021 found that 39% would consider quitting if their bosses weren’t flexible about them working from home.
The same survey showed that almost half of those who indicated quitting (49%) were millennials and Gen Z.
Given the current labor shortages and war for talent, it pays to give your workers more choice over where they work – particularly if you envision your workforce as an integral part of your company’s future.
In terms of physical office space, having fewer people in the office at different times provides the opportunity to free up more space.
You may be able to transform that extra space into meeting rooms, lounge areas, a cafe or kitchen area, or even a yoga room or fitness center. After all, the happier and healthier the workplace experience, the more likely staff are to be happier within your organization and remain loyal.
However, for those firms that are using this opportunity to reduce their physical office space, one solution is to utilize a more flexible workplace approach.
Some firms are retaining a smaller version of their head office and providing regional flexible offices for staff in-office days.
Flexible offices and coworking spaces are a smart option during times of great economic uncertainty, as the space can be reconfigured or resized with very short notice.
Another option is to utilize a virtual office network.
Companies can use one or more virtual office addresses to retain a presence in key target markets, and also use these locations for staff collaboration and meetings.
This is a cost-effective alternative to physical office space because the company only pays for the address – not the costly office suites attached to it. When physical space is needed, it’s instantly available on an hourly or daily basis.
As an example, our partner Alliance Virtual Offices provides virtual office plans starting from $49/mo. This includes a business address at a physical office building, and easy on-demand access to workspace when required. Hourly meeting room or workspace rental typically starts from around $10 per hour.
Numerous add-on services are also available, such as receptionist support, inclusive meeting room access, and monthly coworking memberships.
A virtual office is one of a number of different ways to introduce a hybrid work solution to your business. To find out more about virtual offices, on-demand meeting room rental, remote receptionist support, and more, our partner Alliance Virtual Offices can help. Head to alliancevirtualoffices.com to learn more or chat online with a member of their team.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 11:59 am and is filed under Starting A Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
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