Your Social Way of Working
Your Social Way of Working
Changes to the office environment are picking up the pace now!
Since we’re still obliged to work from home but are entering a period of slightly relaxed COVID-19 measures now – it’s the perfect opportunity to critically assess how our offices are run. However, there’s a powerful reflex to slip back into old habits. And that’s why it’s crucial that we identify and capture the benefits we enjoy today to encourage the sustainable development of office work. The current measures have resulted in limited office occupancy, with 20 to 50% of the offices unable to be used. To systematically implement a higher percentage of teleworking, the office layout and activities will be undergoing some fundamental changes.
Your office will experience a new way of working. What does that mean?
The consultation and strategy for working under COVID-19 measures are based on the ‘CONIX RDBM Office Recommendations’ participatory project, in which we assist organisations with transitioning to their new way of working. Our approach leads to new insights on how your business is run, determined on the basis of people, the building and behaviour.
We want to help you on your way to a more sustainable future for your office environment!
The future?
The trend towards digitisation and different ways of working has been underway for some time now. Today, that process is rapidly gaining momentum and is revealing all kinds of interesting new solutions. It’s the perfect time to tailor them to your company and translate them into a long-term vision.
Due to the large-scale impact, you’ll see changes and developments in every field occurring that would have seemed impossible in the past. The examples and solutions for your office also, or primarily, stem from other trade sectors. For instance, consider how restaurants and coffee bars have solved their catering issues, how the education sector is providing instructions and teaching classes now, how Facility Management is tackling hygiene and maintenance, etc.
EXP Realty is a U.S.-Canadian real estate agency that decided to develop a virtual digital office environment around 2 to 3 years ago, due to financial uncertainties in the real estate market. Today, they’ve got the advantage. The daily operation of their office environment remains uninterrupted by the crisis. This example proves that it’s possible to push boundaries and that a brighter future is just around the corner!
We keep a close eye on current developments and start every consultation by discussing the pros and cons of the new, different ways of working. We look past the horizon and explain best practices and bad experiences.
Communication and staying up to date
In-house and external communication is more important now than ever. Regularly inquire about the state of affairs and current measures and keep employees involved. An implementable protocol ensures that employees stick to the required agreements more consistently and effectively and confront one another when that isn’t the case. It’s essential that your employees and customers feel confident that the working environment is safe.
Our goal is to create a ‘safe’ working environment that encourages teamwork, fosters the use of new technologies, innovates, and that accommodates everyone regardless of their personal preferences or personality.
Written by Mark Willems, director advisor
Full article: Your social way of working
Images in order of appearance:
pinterest - I Sette Savi (The Seven Sages), 1960, Fausto Melotti - Breathingroom II, 2010, Antony Gormley - Run II, 2020, Antony Gormley - Standing matter XVII, 2008, Antony Gormley - pinterest
