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Occupiers Are Still Finding the Right Balance Between Shared and Dedicated Desks

Space Management Focus

AuthorAuthor

Franco Faraudo & Holly Dutton
October 09, 2024

Presented by Occuspace

Propmodo Focus

Greetings!

Today’s email is brought to you by Occuspace. Discover how cutting-edge occupancy monitoring technology can revolutionize your space utilization strategy.

It’s been more than four years since the pandemic closed offices, sent workers home, and fundamentally altered how and where people work. But owners and occupiers are still trying to create workplace strategies that bring workers back to the office and keep them coming back. For most companies, that means figuring out not only the right square footage for an office but also the right balance between shared, collaborative, and private space. 

Many companies have sought to cut down their office footprints amid a challenging economic environment that has seen ongoing high interest rates, inflation, and layoffs across the business spectrum. Plus, hybrid work is still hugely popular with workers and can mean less needed desks and space in physical offices. Desk sharing, or hot desking, has been one of the ways occupiers have shifted their workplace strategy to accommodate hybrid workers. But while some companies have found success with unassigned seating, others have experienced pushback from workers who prefer more personalized spaces.

Basically, a lot of companies are simply split on providing more desk sharing or more assigned seating. Recently, some firms have begun marketing dedicated desks as an office perk, in a bid to bring people back to the office more frequently. Major companies like Salesforce are exploring more dedicated desks at some of its locations, and the e-commerce giant Amazon recently configured its new office space in Manhattan to have more shared space and amenities than assigned seating.

Experimenting with different seating arrangements is a smart way to get a hold on what workers want. After all, one survey taken last year found that 90 percent of companies planned to implement return-to-office policies by the end of 2024. But the biggest issues that occupiers are likely facing with that strategy is that there isn’t a clear consensus among employees. To make matters worse employee preferences have been steadily changing since the pandemic and more of them come to terms with their hybrid work schedules and more younger workers start to take their place in the office. For that reason, companies will likely be examining how the office fits into their business strategy for a long time to come.

Now, let’s dig in!

Occupiers Are Still Finding the Right Balance Between Shared and Dedicated Desks

The shift to hybrid work has led to desk sharing and reduced office footprints globally. While enhancing flexibility and reducing costs, it can also lead to a lack of personalization and isolation. Some firms are considering a return to dedicated desks. Ultimately, a mix of shared and assigned desks, along with improved amenities, seems to be the future of office design.

READ ONLINE: https://propmodo.com/occupiers-are-still-finding-the-right-balance-between-shared-and-dedicated-desks/

5 Ways to Reduce Operational Costs and Boost Productivity with Space Utilization Data

Discover how cutting-edge occupancy monitoring technology can revolutionize your space utilization strategy.

A new eBook, "5 Ways to Reduce Operational Costs and Boost Productivity with Space Utilization Data," provides actionable insights for commercial and corporate real estate professionals. Learn how real-time data can help you optimize office space, save on operational costs, and enhance employee satisfaction. From avoiding unnecessary expansions to reducing food waste and streamlining custodial services, this ebook is your guide to smarter, data-driven space management.

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Now that we have live data of our spaces, we can evaluate building utilization based on occupancy over time.

Head of Workplace Strategy

Download this eBook now and improve strategic decision-making!

The Power of Always-on Occupancy Monitoring in Transforming Workplace Management

Always-on occupancy monitoring helps facility managers optimize space usage, improve operational efficiency, and enhance user experiences by providing detailed insights into workplace behaviors and interactions. This technology promotes dynamic and adaptable work environments, allowing organizations to better meet their employees' changing needs.

READ ONLINE: https://propmodo.com/the-power-of-always-on-occupancy-monitoring-in-transforming-workplace-management/

Insider Insights

Healthy culture
The World Economic Forum is bringing awareness to the mindset shifts needed for employers to help tackle the obesity epidemic and the lack of workplace well-being. One of its suggestions is that wellness efforts need to go beyond benefits like a gym or nutritious food; they need to be part of job design and corporate culture.

Not working alone
A study was recently published in the scientific journal Nature that shows the correlation between social isolation, which can often be caused by working conditions, and productivity loss in the workplace.

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