Following the coronavirus pandemic and all of the restrictions that came along with it, many workplaces will be looking to make a transition to a different way of working, and to potentially
renovate their premises in support of this ambition.
Why Make Changes?
In a recent report, Microsoft identified so-called ‘hybrid’ working as the next big thing in the workplace. The term refers to workplaces which call for a combination of home-working and office
work, balancing the advantages of both practices. This approach eliminates the problem of ‘siloed’ workers, and makes the office a place for communal work, for meetings, and for more relaxed social
space away from the home. Such a model would call for regular ‘hot desking’, where a smaller number of workstations are shared by a large pool of workers. Those who come into the office would be able to simply use whichever desk is available, and leave it free for the next person the following day. This is a practice which was discouraged throughout the pandemic, thanks to social distancing concerns, but it might well be set for a return. This would naturally reduce the amount of office space necessary, leaving the business free to relocate to a different premise where the cost of rent, heating and electricity are less. Or, it might mean freeing up more space for communal and social areas.
What renovations might we consider?
Preventing workplace injury is a worthwhile means of improving overall productivity. The more comfortable the workplace can be made, the more focus they’ll be able to give to the work in front
of them. Consequently, ergonomic changes to desks and to chairs may be critical, especially if the furniture is looking a little on the dilapidated side. Where staff are continuing to work from home, they may benefit from investment in new technology. Faster, more reliable computer equipment might make it easier for remote workers to collaborate with those in the office.
How can we cope with renovation?
Of course, the renovation itself might disrupt your ability to operate. It’s difficult to get work done when there’s building work ongoing, especially if hammering and drilling is involved. An obvious way to manage the transition might be to have as many people working from home as possible. This might mean delaying the return of workers to the office, or at least adjusting the balance so that only a skeleton crew need turn up in person. While the work is going on, temporary buildings might be set up in the vicinity of the site. These buildings would be secure enough to house sensitive documents, but they’d also be affordable enough as a temporary measure. Buildings of this kind tend to be modular and adaptable to a range of situations and businesses. Moreover, they are energy-efficient and reusable, meaning that your carbon footprint won’t be unnecessarily expanded while the changes are being made.