Why employers should consider flexible working spaces

For many employees, all they need is Wi-Fi and a comfortable environment, and they are good to go.

Indeed, a recent study by MYOB found employees are increasingly looking for flexible work arrangements from employers, as advancements in technology allows them to work remotely.

So is there really a need for a 10-year office lease with a complete corporate fit out?
 
Globally, many corporates are adopting the idea of flexible working spaces, moving conveniently from space to space, dependant on their needs. 

Online, they can book a meeting room, a larger space for a collaborative team session, or a quaint office in a foreign country while travelling. 
 
Despite this trend being on the up overseas, many New Zealand corporates are still opting for a solid space for their business, sticking to a decade-long lease. 
 
Pierre Ferrandon, New Zealand country manager of International Workplace Group (IWG), said there are a few reasons why New Zealand is behind other leading nations when it comes to embracing flexible working spaces.

“At this moment, New Zealand is still very much behind, but it has seen a massive pick up over the past two years,” said Ferrandon.

Ferrandon told HRD that there is an incorrect perception that flexible workspace are expensive. 

“If we look at studies done by the largest corporates, flexible working is actually a lot cheaper because you reduce underutilised space,” said Ferrandon.

“It’s important to take into account that traditional office spaces are only used 50% of the time, meeting room utilisation globally is only 12 % and factor in the cost of space surplus requirements.”

The other thing that is very interesting from a HR perspective is the lack of “outputs-based management”, added Ferrandon. 

“What I mean by that is that most managers still measure the performance of their employees based on time spent in the office rather than output,” he said. 

“That comes from the fact that most companies don’t have any management tools in place to be able to measure employees on output. 

“Therefore, it’s very hard for them to consider flexible workspace and flexible working practices because they don’t know really how to manage that.” 

Ferrandon added that one of the major benefits of flexible workspaces is their ability to attract and retain talent. 

Indeed, before Ferrandon was working in New Zealand he was working in Paris and travelling 2.5 hours every day back and forth. 

“Enabling people to actually work closer to where they live means they have less time commuting - which is unproductive time - and spend more time with their families and more time with the company delivering outcomes,” said Ferrandon.

Moreover, Ferrandon said that if you look at it from an environmental perspective, embracing flexible working means companies can reduce their carbon footprint. 

“I would like to really encourage companies to consider flexible working and therefore flexible workspace because it really drives a sense of empowerment for people and is definitely good for business.”