The working from home debate really depends on your circumstances both in life and within business. Whilst it’s never too late to start again and not everyone prioritises having a family, there seems to be a general pattern for employees’ preferences on working from home.
The Young Old Divide
The older generation who are well established within their roles, who aren’t necessarily looking for immediate progression or training, who have plentiful space at home and who have greater commitments concerning children outside of work, prefer the option of working from home and will happily do this full time.
On the flip side, those who are fresher in their careers, who are looking to make a good impression and climb the career ladder, who perhaps live alone or in smaller premises and have fewer personal and family responsibilities, prefer to be in the office more often.
A Change of Priorities
Since the world started to get back on its feet this summer, Officio have seen a huge change in the way people are considering office space. And we aren’t the only ones. In a survey by Orega, one of our key partners in the flexible workspace market, it seems that a hybrid approach to home and office working creates a happy medium for both employers and employees alike.
It is clear that employers still value the office environment but that they can also appreciate the benefits of flexibility for their workforce. Orega found that 80% of workspace users believe the office is important for collaboration and communication. While 74% believe they are vital for focus and productivity as well as creativity and inspiration.
Workspace priorities have also changed since the pandemic. For the first time, staff wellbeing is the second highest consideration behind cost when searching for a new office with an 83% Vs 85% importance rating. Employees are taking note of requests for features such as better provision of air freshness, more quiet spaces and better privacy within the workspace.
Despite there being plenty of discussion around whether the office will become obsolete, only 17% of people surveyed plan to work from home full time. The ideal balance appears to be a three day in and two days out of the office setup with 53% of people selecting this as the ideal solution.
Will Working from Home Stunt Progression
Delving into the topic a little deeper, a report by the BBC reported, ‘More than 60% of those surveyed thought young people would struggle to progress without face-to-face contact or in-person mentoring.’
Throughout the pandemic, many of those starting new roles worked for months without ever meeting their colleagues and with no in-person guidance or training. Alongside this being incredibly isolating, finding structure in a new role without the help of the office environment can be very challenging.
Not to mention the fact that these employees may never interact with those in management or senior leadership roles. This makes it very hard for them to be considered for future promotions or, for those on temporary contracts, to be considered for permanent work. In turn, this sees businesses lose talent while those with a strong work ethic don’t get the development they deserve. Recruiting for home based roles can be tricky and may easily cause businesses to suffer long term.
With this said, it is clear the role of the workspace has changed but is still a vital component of business. People now realise the importance of flexibility and enjoy the luxury of a little hospitality in their professional lives. Flexible workspace is the key to not only employee wellbeing but the future and development of people and business.
If you’re looking for a new workspace to support your team, get in touch with Officio on 020 3053 3882. A quick explanation of your requirement is all we need to find you your perfect office space.