Remote work isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
But neither is the office.
Current research shows that hybrid work is set to be a permanent fixture in the professional world. And, with that, the need for high-quality, flexible workspaces and offices will be essential for companies to effectively support their teams.
Here’s what business owners and leaders need to know about the need for flexible workspace in order to make the best choices for their team.
What the Stats Say About Hybrid Work
You already know how popular remote and hybrid work is today.
But what exactly do the stats say about it?
JLL’s annual survey in 2022 on the future of work gives some interesting insights. Based on responses from over 1,000 decision-makers in companies across the globe, they found that:
- 77% of respondents agree or strongly agree that remote or hybrid work will be key for talent attraction and retention in the next few years.
- 72% believe that the office is still central to their organization.
- 43% plan to invest in flexible space between now and 2025, with 51% planning to use a third-party provider (e.g., private offices in a coworking space).
McKinsey’s research findings corroborate these insights—40% of survey respondents expected employees at work 21-50% of the time, and another 40% of respondents planned for it to be 50-80% of the time.
The vast majority of employers, then, expect employees to be in the office only 2-4 days a week.
This data shows us that employers anticipate a future of hybrid work, but they still need and desire office space. Some of them have already adopted, or plan to adopt, flexible office solutions to meet both needs.
On the employee side, McKinsey’s study shows that 85% of employees working a hybrid schedule want to keep it.
A study by Envoy found that 63% of surveyed employees found flexible work to be empowering and 34% found the lack of a flexible work policy a deal-breaker to return to their job.
Gallup shares a few reasons why employees enjoy hybrid work: avoiding commute time, better overall well-being, and the balance between productivity and connectivity with colleagues.
Overall, data shows that employees want hybrid work and most employers are responding by implementing it.
So, how are you going to adapt and make the best choices for your team?
The Need for Flexible Offices
The research paints a compelling picture of the need for flexible workspaces in the future.
Traditional office space, with desks for every team member, isn’t necessary for hybrid teams. And yet, there’s still a need for some physical office space for employees to connect in, whether it be a few days a week or a year.
There are a few flexible office options to choose from:
- Downsize your space: Move to a smaller office and implement a desk-sharing schedule as employees rotate through in-person shifts.
This may require you to simply sign a new contract at a smaller office space. Alternatively, you can partner with a coworking office like Launch Workplaces and rent a team suite that’s designed for flexibility and offers simple, short-term license agreements.
- Offer choices: Utilize coworking space memberships for employees to have the option to work from home or in a productive shared workspace.
- Book what you need: Use on-demand meeting rooms to periodically bring remote employees together in person for meetings or important project work.
These solutions meet the needs of employers embracing the demand for remote and hybrid work. They still have space to meet when necessary and grow company culture, but can accommodate flexible employee schedules.
Another significant benefit of flexible workspaces is that it’s cost-effective. You’re only using and paying for space you need and can scale up or down as required thanks to flexible, short-term contracts.
In short, flexible workspaces meet two equally important needs for the modern workplace:
- Cost-effective, flexible, and efficient offices for employers managing remote or hybrid teams.
- Engaging and functional workspace for employees seeking to balance work-from-home productivity with interpersonal connection at the office.
Features for Great Workplace in 2022 and Beyond
Finding a flexible office space that suits the needs of your hybrid team is just the first step to thriving in this “new normal.” But simply downsizing to a new office and implementing a desk-sharing schedule doesn’t guarantee an excellent workplace.
Here are some other important features that’ll make great workplaces in the years to come:
- Thoughtfully-planned environment: Just as flexible office space maximizes efficiency, a well-planned office layout can, too. A mix of shared workspaces, private meeting areas, lounges, kitchens, and amenities (included in Launch’s all-inclusive memberships) can ensure employees have what they need when they need it.
- Socialization and networking opportunities: As people continue to work from home, the time spent in person at the office becomes more important; it’s an essential part of the post-pandemic Great Reconnection.
Consciously building times for connection will boost company culture and employee engagement. Consider options like social events, training and upskilling, networking opportunities, and effective in-person meetings.
- Access to amenities and tools: Working from home is comfortable and desired by many employees. But to do their best work, they still need access to the right technology and services. Consider how you can equip your team to have the comfort of working at home with the practical needs of office space.
- Effective communication: Managing hybrid teams requires different strategies and tools. Find the right options to help your team with project management, scheduling, and daily collaboration.
Together, these features are part of the employee value proposition (EVP) that makes a workplace desirable to employees. They’ll have a flexible schedule, comfortable work environment, and access to amenities, tools, and technology to do their best work.
The data shows that hybrid work is here to stay. To meet that demand, business owners and leaders need to seriously look at how flexible workspace can work for them and set their team up for long-term success.
If you’re looking for a flexible workspace that meets the changing demands of the professional landscape, book a tour of your local Launch Workplace today.
