Agile working. Flexible working. Hybrid working. These all seem to be the buzzwords of today’s working reality. We have all been forced to change working routines due to the pandemic, but many are predicting that this shake up is here to stay.
The shift towards more flexible working days and away from static 9-5 scenarios has been gathering pace this past decade, but COVID flung employers and employees alike into imposed flexibility, as we all had to find ways to get the work done from our homes.
Agile working is the souped-up reality of flexible working. Now that the government has made it clear that all employees are entitled to apply for flexible working (defined as “a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times, or working from home”), it’s clear that ‘work’ and ‘life’ are becoming less separable. The responsibilities of everyday life we all once had to deny and work around are being catered for – as are the various and diverse working methods that people choose for maximum productivity.
The opportunities for activity-led work spaces leads to better employee wellbeing, Reduced space means potential savings / Improved staff wellbeing, journeys to work, better work/life balance.
Activity-based working is workers choosing their setting, dependent on the nature of the activity they are currently undertaking. An informal meeting might suit the tables in the kitchen, or low sofas in the break out area.
An investment in agile is likely to save your business money in the future, as more employees are comfortably accommodated in your space and upsizing can be avoided for longer.