A hybrid work model is not a new topic, it has been around for many years before the start of the COVID-19. However, for many organisations, the pandemic has accelerated the shift from a traditional workplace to a hybrid model at a larger scale. It gave us the opportunity to rethink and redefine the ways of creating value.
A recent PwC report shows 74% of Australian workers want a mix of remote and in-person working arrangements, while 29% of workers say they would consider quitting if they were forced to abandon remote work completely.
When remote working was enforced during the pandemic, many of us celebrated the idea. We loved the fact that there is no more waiting in rush hour traffic; turning up for work simply means logging into the work account on the laptop. No one cares if we attend a team meeting over Zoom wearing pyjama pants, plus having such flexibility can even improve our productivity.
If we can complete the majority of our work remotely, why would we still want to go back to the office? Studies have shown that frequent in-person interactions lead to commitment, support and cooperation among people on teams. Despite all the benefits of remote working, as social beings, we still need human moments. The office may no longer be our primary place of work, it now serves as a social anchor providing workers a culture space to connect and collaborate.
The challenge is, how to transform a workplace and adapt it to the needs of a hybrid workforce? It is time to bring out the floorplan and revise the office layout. This may not necessarily require a complete renovation and throwing out all your existing furniture. With a good understanding of your office needs and careful planning, the transformation can be achieved with a few changes.
There are three things you should consider when it comes to finding the right furniture to accommodate the different needs of a hybrid workforce:
- Flexibility and Mobility
Sometimes it takes a few rounds of trials and errors to get it right. Choosing office furniture with flexibility and mobility will save you time and budget when there is a change of plan. A stackable and height-adjustable table on castors that does not require electric connection can be used to set up a temporary hot desk or put together for team building activity when needed. Modular furniture can be reconfigured to create space for different purposes.
- Go Ergonomic
At a hybrid workplace where shared work zone will take a lot more space than a traditional office setting, it is important to have ergonomic furniture that can be adjusted to the comfort level of different users. Why not take a step further and add a few Gregory Project W ergonomic chairs specially designed for women?
- Respect the Quiet Zone
After a whole day of team building and group meetings, your staff may need a quiet spot to consolidate their work or to have a private discussion. It can be a pod workstation surrounded by acoustic screen, a standalone pod room, or a huddle space with acoustic partition.
Transforming to a hybrid workplace cannot be done overnight. Changing the office layout is only a starting point. Speak to our team at Winya and let us help you to kick start this process.