What now for the office — business as usual, adapt or stay at home?

In the past I’ve worked with companies for whom remote working was a privilege that must be earned (and was ideally, discouraged). Their senior leaders believed that the best way to get maximum value from their employees was to insist that they always work in the office.

What the last two years have demonstrated is that this view is outdated. Technology has stood up to the challenge, and enabled employees in a broad range of roles to work from home effectively. Businesses may need a physical office for certain roles, but it’s likely they won’t need to accommodate every employee in future.

Remote working isn’t for everyone. Sure, I’ve spoken with people who have thrived working from home and claimed to be more productive than before. But I’ve come across just as many that haven’t fared so well. They miss the physical human contact, camaraderie and office banter. They have felt anxious about their job security and their mental health has suffered as a result.

In total, we found seven distinct personas we define in our ‘creating a dynamic workforce’ report. The office of the future must be able to accommodate all types of employee. How? Firstly, by providing a safe working environment for those whose roles require it, as well as for employees who thrive with human contact. Secondly, by ensuring those who are remote working feel included, and are able to collaborate and communicate with colleagues effectively.

In an office environment, it’s straightforward to stipulate working policies regarding working hours or dress code, for example. At home, however, where and when does the working day begin or end? How will productivity be measured? Employers might take the view that if an employee has been provided with the technology to communicate and collaborate at home, then they are free to be contacted at any time. It will take talented HR departments to establish policies that draw a clear distinction between employees’ work-life balance.

It seems odd to think how recently, and how willingly, I used to drive hundreds of miles each month to attend meetings with colleagues and clients. Regardless of any guidelines or restrictions, I am not sure that I would choose to go back.

Meetings are just one example of how technology has been able to keep us working flexibly – and the office of the future may simply not need boardrooms capable of hosting regular, large team meetings.

It’s important to remember that every business is different, and no single outcome will suit them all. For some, a physical office premises is essential, and likely always will be. Others are asking whether they need a physical presence at all. You may have seen the KPMG survey from August 2020, which found that 68% of CEOs plan to downsize their office space as a result of the pandemic. But the research also found evidence of businesses embracing the need for changing working practices. Bill Thomas, KPMG Chief Executive, concluded that:

“Maybe some kind of hybrid finds its way into the new everyday reality”

In 2022, there is optimism that demand for space will start to recover, although it may look very different to the office space we have been used to. The Financial Times, for example, suggests that better-equipped, modern collaboration spaces will draw demand, with older office blocks more likely to be converted for other uses, such as housing. In fact, modern, high-spec, fully equipped working space may be used to tempt workers back into the office.

So, will the flexible future of work really result in the demise of the office? My answer is no, although its role will change, and businesses must be ready to transform their space to suit the modern workforce.

Are you considering a hybrid working approach? I’d love to talk to you. Virgin Media O₂ Business specialises in communication and collaboration technology, and many of our teams have been working remotely for many years already. You can connect with me via LinkedIn.