28th May 2021

Is Your Agile Workplace Still Fit for Purpose?

With restrictions lifting around the country, many employers are looking to bring their staff back to the workplace.

While recent research from Steelcase has found that most people are looking forward to returning to the office, there are many who have gotten used to and embraced certain ways of working.

People have had a lot of time to reflect and are much more aware of the things they need to be happy and productive at work. It’s therefore vital that your business takes these things into consideration, so you can provide your people with safe, compelling, agile workspaces to return to.

“I ALREADY PROVIDED MY PEOPLE WITH AN AGILE WORKSPACE”

That’s fantastic, well done to you! But keep in mind that an agile workspace is not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one team may not work for another. What’s more, as time passes, especially through lifestyle-changing events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, some aspects of agile workspaces can quickly become much less desirable than they once were.

With this in mind, now may be the perfect time to conduct a workplace audit. And we have a few pointers to get you started!

Evaluate your Workspaces

Hotdesking is one of the big agile trends of the past decade, and in the right situations it can be great! Employees are free to work from wherever they would like to work, promoting free-thinking, creativity, and comfort. This could prove to be a huge factor in your agile rebranding, as those who have been cooped up at home may relish the freedom that this offers them.

However, with the emphasis on cleanliness and sanitisation, some employees may prefer to have their own space to work. So be sure to check in with your people and see what working environment they need to be at their best.

Evaluate your Layout

More people are working at home than ever before, and even after the pandemic, many may choose to spend some of their time in home offices.

If you’re planning to allow this, you may find yourself with a surplus of seats and desks. This could be a perfect opportunity to open up your workplace to a more agile approach.

Breakout spaces, work cafés, quiet areas or meeting spaces – all of these features could be a better use of space than those empty desks.

Evaluate your Processes

It’s unlikely that you will have gone through 2020 without adopting a new approach to how you work.

Are you taking more video calls with customers as opposed to in-person meetings? A video-enabled conference room might be needed.

Have your employees gotten used to having privacy during their calls? Individual quiet ‘pods’ may be the answer.

Every solution is unique to your own process, but by bringing some of these home comforts into the office, your employees will be happier to come into work every day.

Focus on Employee Wellbeing

Speaking of happiness, the past year has been hard on everyone, and as a result, many employees are placing more of an emphasis on mental health than ever before. But did you know that adapting to an agile workplace can improve your employees’ mental and physical wellbeing?

Open-air spaces, sunlight, community, these factors all play a part in well-being. This is why we’re proud advocates of the Human Givens Model. The model suggests that we’re all born with a set of core needs that must be met to remain physically and emotionally healthy.

If you haven’t reconsidered your workplace since the pandemic, it might be time for a wellbeing audit. By evaluating and reworking your space, you could provide an even better employee experience that abides by health and safety standards.

 

Luckily, we’re here to help!

 

We can design and build an agile workplace environment that delivers against the specification of the WELL Building Standard™.

We’ll identify and explain ways to achieve the standards required within your budget and time frame. And set to work designing an inspiring space where your people have what they need to thrive.

If you’d like to explore a revamp of your office space, take a look at our People First Fit Out Guide, and then  get in touch for a chat about how we can help.