DigitalCFO Newsroom | 13 December 2022
3 out of 4 employees believe that their companies are not equipped for the future of hybrid work in the long run due to the lack of support in terms of company culture and access to technology and collaborative platforms.
62% – That is the number of employees in APAC who are less inclined to quit their jobs because they have the freedom to practice hybrid work. They are happier, more motivated, less stressed and are more likely to build better relationships with their colleagues.
The only problem is that 3 out of 4 employees believe that their companies are not equipped for the future of hybrid work in the long run due to the lack of support in terms of company culture and access to technology and collaborative platforms.
So, how can organisations foster an optimal hybrid working environment? By creating workspaces that people actually want to work in, regardless if employees are at home or in the office.
Focused on user-first and inclusive designs for the workplace and home, Flokk is the leading furniture manufacturer in Europe that has worked with companies like Great Eastern Life in Singapore to create innovative, decentralised workspaces for increased collaboration.
The company believes in three key types of workspaces that will help companies stay agile in the future of work: The Office, The Home and The Hub.
The Office Reimagined
With hybrid arrangements, the reasons why an employee comes into a physical office changes from a place of everyday work to a space for in-person meetings and communal socialisation. And organisations must rethink how it can enhance these in-person experiences.
This can mean switching out assigned desks for “neighbourhoods” that are customised to the needs of each team, offering formal and informal areas to encourage creative discussions and dialogues. Adding different colour schemes and team-related pinboards can enhance an employee’s sense of belonging without the need for a permanent workstation.
The Home Office
Working from home has provided employees with greater flexibility over their day and removed stress and expenses from their daily commute. Creating a sustainable home workspace relies on understanding what types of work are best performed when working remotely, and constructing an environment to best support those tasks.
Companies implementing a long-term work from home regime should assess the ergonomic risks of their employee’s home workspaces. This includes equipment such as an office chair, one of the most important tools an employee will use. Choosing intuitive designs with easy to use features becomes paramount in ensuring employee safety and comfort at home or at the office.
The Hub
With the freedom of hybrid work still preferred, going to the office full-time is definitely not the first-choice. But this is where collaborative work happens, and niche co-working spaces that meet the various needs of companies and employees are key to that.
With the wide availability of co-working spaces that offer flexible leases with short-term or daily workstations, this allows organisations to reduce cost and be able to hire employees all over the world. And at the same time, it can provide employees access to collaboration tools within their local vicinity.
“Flexibility in how employees want to work has never been more important, and how businesses will be able to provide this flexibility will be crucial not only for retaining talent, but also keeping employees healthy, happy and productive.” said Chiraag Sehvani, Head of Retail, Flokk Asia.
The new hybrid workspace is a big challenge for organisations when it comes to reimagining their physical spaces. But it should be treated as a golden opportunity to reap the benefits from both sides.
