Drivers for change in Workplace Management
The area of Workplace management is going through a fundamental change where ‘Agile workplace allocation’ principles are being adopted. In this concept the worker does not have a predetermined workspace for his/her own use, but rather they can choose from different workplace environments that best suit the tasks they have been assigned.
This change towards flexible office concepts is propelled by a variety of factors:
Ongoing pressure to cut costs
Workplace management costs are typically the third or fourth largest operating cost in a company his implies that cost reductions in this field can substantially improve the operating margins for companies. Flexible offices can reduce the workforce office footprint up to 30%, resulting in a substantial cost savings.
Workforce flexibility
Today’s workers, especially knowledge workers, show increasing flexibility in where they work and when. In many companies, virtual teams are regularly assembled from people located in different parts of the country, or even the world. With new collaboration methods geographic distance between team members are now becoming irrelevant as is the traditional ‘9 to 5’ workday. These changes are fueled by technology developments enabling new ways of communication between people. For many knowledge workers, home has become the most productive place to work from as it fits naturally in the workers flexibility profile. In flexible office environments move projects are a thing of the past, adding significantly to the cost saving record.
Avoiding commuting problems
Where increased worker mobility is seen as an asset, the forced mobility of employees as they commute to and from the office at the same time each day is increasingly regarded to be a performance impediment.
Especially in dense economic areas, increasing traffic jams are viewed to be a threat to economic growth and bad for a sustainable, ‘Green’ economy.
Sustainability – the ECO Footprint and ‘Green’ initiatives
The fast growing understanding that we have to look after the natural resources that we need for further world-wide economical growth, have boosted business management to set priorities in the field of ‘sustainable operations’. Worldwide economical growth has induced high energy and raw material prices, adding a relevant economical aspect to the ‘sustainability’ issue. We are currently in the unique situation where both corporate profit goals and environmental interests are aligned: Flexible office initiatives are by definition ‘Green’. When the office footprint per employee is dramatically reduced, it significantly contributes to sustainable operations.
Human Capital Management
Attracting a highly educated and talented workforce is proving to be an increasingly difficult task for companies. In highly developed economies knowledge workers are not only scarce, they are expensive as well. Research shows that talent acquisition and retention is viewed to be a top Human Capital management Business driver by at least 37% of interviewed companies.
From a HCM perspective, establishing a fitting and pleasant working environment is viewed as imperative to attracting and retaining high value knowledge workers. Flexible office concepts offer the kind of work environments which increase employee satisfaction. They enable employees to choose a working environment that fits their requirements, offering a fitting and comfortable working environment.
