Agile Working Environment: Have you heard of agile working? With more than 80% of firms adopting hybrid working, it has become the norm to work from home for at least part of the week, every week. However, with employees starting to feel more settled with a home setup, it can be harder for managers to draw their staff back into the office.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best ways to create a flexible and productive working environment in which your employees have the freedom to move between different spaces.
What makes an agile workplace?
An agile working environment is characterised by several factors. In its own sense, agile space revolves around multipurpose, separate zones. These could include dedicated spaces for collaboration, independent focus, team meetings, telephone calls, relaxation, and inspiration.
Rather than forcing individual employees to complete different kinds of work in one setting, agile working promotes freedom to make a choice according to their task.
An agile workplace therefore provides flexible working spaces according to the needs of its employees, acknowledging and making room for different individual personalities and roles working within the business.
What are the benefits?
- Understand your employees
By definition, an agile working environment pays more attention to the needs of the people using it. It therefore takes both mental and physical wellbeing into consideration much more than a traditional office space might. If your staff feel valued, this could boost retention for you.
With something available to support different methods of working, an agile workplace encourages staff to be present and not just work remotely or from home.
- Increase productivity and efficiency
Dedicated zones encourage staff to team together to plan and undertake collaborative projects. With studies proving that collaboration is better than competition, there’s never been a better time to motivate your staff to work together.
Similarly, the background noise and lack of privacy in conventional office spaces have a profoundly negative effect on concentration and productivity. Dedicated quite zones area another example of agile working boasting flexibility at its core.
- Become more innovative
Agile working is a modern concept, so if you incorporate these new ways of working into your business, it should naturally attract creative and innovative minds. Your company ethos can only ultimately reflect the attitudes of its staff, so flexibility is paramount in hybrid working.
How can I make my office an agile workspace?
If you’re still using an old office space, you might need to arrange an office refurbishment or, if you don’t have enough space, a relocation. After only a short time in temporary office space, your colleagues can share in the hugely beneficial environment of an agile working.