Flexible working has become an almost standard practice of modern-day employment practices. With huge advancements in mobile technology in recent years, what was once considered a luxury for company CEOs and directors has now become a reality for the masses. To cater for the growing demand for more flexible working patterns, are flexible office spaces that enable employees to work with greater freedom.
Take a look at the following 14 things you may not have known about flexible office space and flexible working patterns.
- 94% of UK organisations support flexible working
What was, not so long ago widely frowned upon in the working world, is now being embraced by businesses of all shapes and sizes. As Virgin notes in an article about the rise of flexible working:
“94% of UK organisations apparently now offer staff some form of flexible working and 73% of managers say that their organisation is largely supportive of it.”
- Hot-desking could save the UK £34 billion a year
Shared flexible workspaces such as hot desks and co-working offices that enable employees to work independently could save the UK as much as £34 billion a year, research from Vodafone UK found.
- A flexible office space can transform a business
“A space with autonomy and flexibility – that’s a space that can transform a business”, says Monica Parker of Morgan Lovell.
And she’s right. Give staff more autonomy by letting them work within flexible arrangements and they’re likely to thank you by being more productive, keen and loyal.
- A growing demand for ‘third space’ offices
‘Third space’ flexible office space like co-working centres are seeing a prolific rise and are especially beneficial to businesses which can’t afford an office but need somewhere for staff to work in, socialise and hold meetings. Virgin describes this rise in ‘third spaces’ as looking to be “yet another nail in the coffin of the traditional office.”
- Flexible office space significantly reduce company overheads
As the demand for flexible working patterns grow, more and more businesses are adopting a more ‘hoteling’ structure within their organisation, which provides workspace on a first come first served basis. This is directly related to reducing company overheads in elements such as square footage of office space, office furniture and utilities.
- Office design influences one of a company’s biggest assets – its people
As Forbes insists, the right office design influences, motivates and drives people. And as employers increasingly realise that their office space is synonymous with motivating and inspiring, the move towards a modern, stylish and flexible office space is escalating.
- Ensuring flexible working spaces are well equipped with beverages
Did you know that difficulty to focus, concentrate and remember things at work is caused by just a 2% drop in body water? With this in mind it’s crucial that the flexible working space you spend time in is well-facilitated and enables you to take regular drink breaks by providing tea and coffee facilities and water cooling machines in the office.
For example, Carrwood’s Park quality co-working centre in Leeds ensure its co-workers are kept well-hydrated by making tea, coffee and water readily available.
- 80% of jobs are gained through networking
Yes it’s true, 80% of jobs are gained through networking. If you want to take your business to the next level, using flexible working spaces such as co-working centres and hot desks, whereby networking is there for the taking, would make a lot of sense.
- Average worker spend a year of their life commuting
Research reveals the average British commuter spends 10,634 travelling to work over their lifetime. Flexible working spaces in which employees dip in and out and come and go at their leisure, eliminates the excessive need for commuting and the lost time and money that goes hand in hand with commuting.
- More than 50% of absent work days are caused by stress
Research has shown that more than 50% of lost work days are stress-related. Having the freedom to work when and where you want has been directly related to alleviating stress.
- Flexible work spaces and patterns reduce child care costs
Being able to set your own hours and work from a more convenient flexible office space helps reduce the cost of childcare as more and more parents are able to participate in activities such as school runs, which was impossible with the former 9 – 5 office culture society rigidly stuck to for years.
- 71% of managers believe flexible working makes employee more loyal
Being able to work from a flexible office in their own hours has been associated with increasing employee loyalty towards and company and reducing staff turnover. In fact one study shows that as many as 71% of managers believe flexible working makes employees more loyal to a company.
- Flexible office space nurtures cross-departmental collaboration
Long gone are the days when if someone wasn’t in your team at work you were unlikely to know their name, let alone talk to them! Flexible working spaces such as hot-desking and co-working centres encourage people to move around the office, ultimately leading to impromptu chats between different departments and colleagues you may not have previously spoken to.
- 95% of employers think flexible working is vital to the UK economy
A recent survey by CBI found that 95% of employers view flexible working as vital to the UK economy.
With the above points in mind, it’s safe to surmise that flexible working space are here to stay.
If you are looking for quality, well-facilitated and easily accessible flexible office space in Leeds, get in contact with Carrwood Park to find out more about our premier serviced offices on the outskirts of Leeds.
