Chapter 4
Considerations for Office Occupiers
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As hybrid working becomes a standard practice, office occupiers face new challenges and opportunities. This section delves into essential considerations for businesses navigating this evolving landscape. From refining hybrid working strategies to optimiaing office space utilisation, we explore how modern offices can be designed to foster collaboration while maintaining productivity.
Discover insights on effective workplace design that balances communal spaces with areas dedicated to focused work. Learn about strategic approaches such as office relocation or fitout projects aimed at enhancing workspace quality and meeting sustainability goals. Additionally, understand the importance of measuring productivity accurately amidst these changes.
Whether you're planning an office move or looking to update your current setup, our findings provide valuable guidance tailored for today's dynamic work environment.
Discover insights on effective workplace design that balances communal spaces with areas dedicated to focused work. Learn about strategic approaches such as office relocation or fitout projects aimed at enhancing workspace quality and meeting sustainability goals. Additionally, understand the importance of measuring productivity accurately amidst these changes.
Whether you're planning an office move or looking to update your current setup, our findings provide valuable guidance tailored for today's dynamic work environment.
Considerations for Office Occupiers
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Reassess Your Current Hybrid Working Strategies
With hybrid working now a standard practice, occupiers should reassess their current hybrid working strategies to ensure they align with their business needs.
Evaluate whether the time your employees spend in the office and the purposes for which they use the office space are still effective. Hybrid working may not reduce the need for office space, but it will influence how that space is utilised.
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Meeting the Diverse Needs of Your Employees Through Workplace Design
As businesses transitioned back to the office post-COVID, there was a significant shift towards allocating more space for collaboration. Initially, it was believed that employees would return primarily for collaborative tasks, leading to a focus on collaborative spaces. However, four years on, it has become clear that space usage is more complex. While employees do come in for collaboration, their days are not solely focused on it.
When planning your next office fitout, ensure a balanced mix of collaborative, focused, and communal spaces to meet the diverse needs of your employees.
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Give Yourself Time to Achieve the Desired Outcome
Relocating remains a prominent real estate strategy for many occupiers. There is no denying that a modern, well-maintained space in a good building will attract more people to the office compared to an outdated workspace.
If you have a lease event approaching, give yourself time to achieve the desired outcome. As a guide, businesses needing around 1,000 sqm should start their search at least 12 months before their lease expires. This is essential due to the current market’s limited availability of premium and A-grade spaces. For larger requirements, you will need to begin even earlier.
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Determine a Reliable Method to Measure your Productivity
The impact of hybrid working on productivity is a common concern for occupiers. The challenge for many businesses is the need to rely on anecdotal evidence, with only a few organisations having established reliable productivity metrics.
If your business is reviewing its hybrid working policies or planning changes to the workplace, we recommend first determining a reliable method to measure your productivity. This will ensure any changes are informed by accurate data and not speculation.