As fewer people get the COVID-19 virus, many companies have decided to let their workers work from the office. One way they’re making this change is by enabling hybrid work. In this kind of work setup, employees can work both from their homes and office.
Yet, this can bring some challenges. For one, these companies must find ways to make hybrid work as productive and engaging as possible. They might also have to think about their spending, as it can be costly to simultaneously maintain a work-from-home and office setup. Hybrid work may also decrease team collaboration; thus, they should know the best course of action to take.
Additionally, allowing their staff to work in a hybrid setup might lead to a lack of time flexibility. Some workers want to work anytime from whatever location, primarily through remote work. Having a hybrid work setup can put a limit on this.
Luckily, there are also benefits to a hybrid work setup. For instance, employees can work remotely on some days, reducing the chance of burnout. More so, it can help workers make the most of their time. This all translates to better productivity and business growth.
Another challenge employers have to face with incorporating hybrid work is redesigning their offices. If you’re a company facing the same problem, reading the following information can help.
- Design A Flexible And Collaborative Office
In the past, many companies decided to have a closed office environment for meetings and a more open workspace for team members’ workstations. As more companies try to implement hybrid work today, these types of office setups will surely change.
Meetings will likely occur in an open workspace surrounded by movable barriers to make collaboration more productive and flexible. On the other hand, individual workstations will try to copy work-from-home settings by making such spaces more enclosed.
Employees will appreciate such type of individual workstation, as many prefer to work privately. For one, privacy can lessen interruptions to video calls and can limit distractions to other workers.
If you want to redesign your office this way, you can seek assistance from various fitout and construction services. You can ask them to create a more collaborative and flexible office space for your organization.
- Design A More Communal Office
One of the most significant reasons employees want to return to the office is social connection. Thus, your office space must offer a communal feel. To achieve this end, you can add communal areas at the center of the office. This helps workers connect with colleagues.
Another way to have a more communal office is to add sofas and other comfortable seating in these communal spaces. This can help your staff feel they’re having a break from their work and can foster a sense of social community.
You may also note designing an area for mindfulness classes and lunchtime exercises. This can give time for your staff to interact in a place that’s away from their work. It can also allow your office space to be a venue for activities.
- Design An Outdoor Office
If your company has an outdoor area that’s not being used, it’s ideal to use this area for creating an outdoor office space. It’s proven that sunlight and fresh air offer health benefits. These two elements can improve short-term memory and enhance creativity by reducing stress. It’s also possible that it can improve a person’s focus.
If you design an outdoor office space for hybrid work, know that it can motivate your staff to work from the office. Even if there will be some employees who’ll avoid working in this kind of environment, you must ensure that you develop it with sufficient seating and work surfaces. This is to make room for many employees at a particular period.
Likewise, you must add long tables that can be used by six individuals when designing an outdoor office. You can also introduce two-person tables for those that want to work by themselves to give way for focus.
- Design A Makerspace
Today, more staff members use virtual private networks (VPNs), laptops, and other portable devices. This raised a greater need for IT support. This is the reason that your company must design a makerspace.
The makerspace can act as a central support facility for employees in a hybrid office setup. This facility can consist of IT team members who can help employees update or troubleshoot software and hardware. This space can also be an avenue for one-on-one tech training or generating presentation materials.
If you create a makerspace, you’re following the steps of larger companies that focus on innovation. It can also be a tool to showcase the company’s culture in a physical working environment.
Wrapping Up
One challenge that companies have to face is how to incorporate hybrid work into their processes. Hybrid work allows workers to work from their homes or office. While it has many benefits, this work setup also comes with its own challenges. One way to tackle these issues is to know how to redesign your office for such a work setup.
There are ways to make your office more conducive to hybrid work, such as the four points above. Ultimately, applying them ensures your employees will work more productively and comfortably.
