Are you thinking about introducing hybrid work solutions to your employees? If so, there are a few factors you need to consider first.
Will a hybrid workplace be perceived as a positive benefit for employees?
Flexibility has always been a highly valued benefit at any workplace among employees.
During the pandemic we really got to try out this new way of working. It soon became clear that for some, a flexible workday, where you can choose where you want to work from, is preferred. You don't have to travel back and forth from work in the middle of rush hour, but rather have a productive day at home.
For companies, there are also many major cost-saving advantages associated with hybrid work solutions. By allowing employees to work from home, office optimization can be achieved, as most companies don’t have more than 60% occupancy mid-week, and even less Monday and Friday. When tracking where and when your employees work from, you can optimize cleaning routines and map out the building's environmental footprint.
However, as companies began to prepare for hybrid workplaces, a lot of dissatisfaction quickly emerged among employees.
A hybrid solution will most likely include free seating, which can lead to employees feeling uncertain about where to sit and not being able to keep their belongings at their workstation. This can feel unpredictable and can lower the feeling of well-being at work.
Also, it can be difficult to find your co-workers since they'll also be working remotely part of the time.
So how can you ensure that this is a positive experience for them?
There are plenty of things you can do. First, consider using an app like FLX, that allows employees to book their own desks. This way, they can choose a desk that suits their needs. Some days that might mean a quiet zone, while other days being close to a colleague they need to cooperate with.
We also recommend that you use the same booking system for parking so that employees can reserve spots in advance, avoiding having to drive around looking for a spot when they get to work.
In our app, you can create "neighborhoods" for each department so that they can easily find their co-workers when they book their desk.
You could also provide storage closets for them to keep their belongings, so they don't have to lug them back and forth from home every day.
But before you do anything!
Before you make any changes to the way your employees work, it is important that you map out their workday pattern.
- When are they at work?
- Which days do they prefer a home office?
- What is the maximum occupancy in the office?
- How do you make use of the extra space you most likely will find to have?
This is where we help you get started with phase 1 of any hybrid workspace project.
Phase 2 will be the organizational changes you have to go through. To make this change, you need an experienced partner who can assist you in meetings with the trade union, the employees, and the management.
A successful implementation is the key to a good start.
