The way people use an office has changed and will continue to do so, which means the way we fit-out our workplaces needs to address these changes.

Why are people working remotely?

Remote working is being embraced by a large number of companies as staff can continue to work whilst travelling and offsite. Whether it’s letting staff pick up their children from school and continue to work from home or arrange set days where they aren’t expected to come into the office, employees appreciate the flexibility.

The most forward-thinking companies will start considering roles and functions in their organisation that could be appropriately served by employees working their own chosen hours, whether that’s weekend or night-time working, rather than 9-5.

Technology has enabled most employees to work from anywhere, meaning people only need to come into the office for face-to-face meetings and to collaborate with their colleagues and network.

The offer of remote and flexible working helps businesses to attract and retain staff. By 2020 half of the UK workforce will be millennials – this generation is not used to working 9-5 and have a new way of working where they expect immediate responses. Millennials want fast paced, collaborative, energetic environments that offer an element of work life balance such a games rooms, colourful creative areas and the latest technology.

How to ask your boss for flexible working hours, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-business/10935377/Flexible-working-How-to-ask-your-boss-for-flexible-working-without-being-turned-down.html

But where is my desk?

Benefits of hot desking include less clutter, empty desks and the ability to choose a different location. The challenges can be less sense of workspace ownership and space can be a struggle if everyone is in the office at one time.

Hot desking is the practice of multiple people using the same workspace at differing times, rather than having an assigned desk. The days of having your own desk are disappearing. With so many people working from home, having flexi-hours and rarely using the office it doesn’t make financial sense for everyone to have their own desk that is rarely used. If employees share desks the organisation can reduce building space and office costs.

Between 2015 and 2016 occupier enquiries for flexible workspace saw double-digit growth – and demand shows no signs of slowing.

What if my business is a start up, micro or small?

Small and medium-sized enterprises need to ensure they are also offering flexible working policies and options. It’s a time when you need to be innovative as a small business, if your business operates with under ten staff, you could use a large conference desk instead of individual desks.

So where can I work?

The additional floor space that is available through hot desking can be used to provide alternative work areas – like breakout areas, standing areas and quiet zones.

However, the forward thinking businesses are already moving beyond shared desks to flexible workspaces. As an alternative to desks, power points and a phone, companies should think about social hubs, tech stations and work benches where staff can work in a group or on their own in a more informal setting. Another approach could be personalised private booths for individual work and open plan spaces with moveable furniture for more collaborative projects.

Another element of flexible working is to encourage your staff to take breaks during the day, it can also further encourage team bonding and gives people a much needed break from staring at a screen. A few ideas could include a kitchen area, table tennis or a games room.

Future Trends

  • 20pc of UK workers will be mothers (Source: The Work Foundation)
  • 25pc  of families will be single-parent families (Source: The Work Foundation)
  • Up to 10 million people will have carer responsibilities as the population continues to age (Source: The Work Foundation)
  • 65pc of children now entering primary school will hold jobs that currently don’t exist. (Source: World Economic Forum)

Contact us to create a 3D visual of your future proof office – info@apex-office.com