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Don’t feel pressed for space. Our blog will guide you to smarter office space management. Learn how to harness and maximize your dynamic space with simple solutions that work for you.
Office spaceFrom Concept to Reality: How to Make a Floor Plan That WorksA well-thought-out and carefully designed floor plan can help ensure that each area of your business facility is used in the most efficient way possible, increasing employee productivity while maximizing space utilization.
A good floor plan is one that fits your specific needs while allowing you to get the most out of your workspace.
For example, you can greatly improve your office's workflow by placing storage areas away from main pathways or clearly designating spaces for different tasks.
4 Factors to Consider When Creating Your Floor Plan
There are several factors that will have a significant impact on your floor plan, including the following:
1. Office Layout
When planning your office layout, there are a couple of options to consider. While an open-space layout comes with benefits in terms of improved collaboration and cost-effectiveness, it can also lead to more distractions or noise.
On the other hand, more traditional closed office spaces offer more privacy and minimize distractions, but they can also be quite isolating and promote a hierarchical atmosphere.
Ultimately, you should choose the type of layout that best suits your business needs, as there's no one-size-fits-all solution.
■ Opt for open vs. closed office space based on your company culture
2. Employee Input
It's important that your employees are also involved in the planning process because they'll be the ones using the space. To boost their productivity and overall work satisfaction, consider their input on the following:
Sufficient space: Your floor plan should give each employee enough space. This includes considering how desks are arranged and how supplies and equipment are stored and set up for the most convenient access. Safety: Your employees' safety is also a top priority, so you need to include a clear route for emergencies. Specific needs: You need to take into account any specific employee needs. For example, there should be enough space to navigate the office comfortably in a wheelchair.
■ Follow these tips to determine the right amount of office space per employee
3. Space Usage
When thinking about space usage, your floor plan should provide enough designated areas to ensure you achieve your business goals efficiently. This can mean having dedicated meeting rooms, providing an agile work environment, or incorporating any other facility features you deem beneficial.
To ensure your space usage promotes employee satisfaction, consider providing communal break areas with sufficient utilities, comfortable seating areas, and restorative spaces like outdoor areas or quiet zones. Taking these aspects into account when calculating your space utilization rate can help you create a floor plan with an inviting workplace atmosphere.
■ Optimize your space usage with key space utilization metrics
4. Work Models
Your work model plays an important part in planning your floor plan since your ideal workspace will depend on your specific business needs. For example, hybrid workspaces can involve a mix of hot desking and co-working areas, while traditional dedicated desks provide employees their own desk space which they can personalize.
Also keep in mind that you should set up your workplace according to the type of task being completed. For example, work activities that involve group discussions will require an open area with tables, while private spaces with comfortable seating are more suitable for individual tasks.
Ultimately, designing your floor plan to accommodate various work models can help ensure that everyone's needs are met and employees remain productive.
■ Get inspired by these hybrid work model examples
Automated Software Could Be Your Answer
You no longer have to take pen to paper to facilitate your floor plan creation. Modern space management systems like POC's Space Management Solution offer a more efficient way to manage floor plans by relying on simulations to let you test different layout options and choose the most optimal one for implementation.
To help you maximize your office space, the system offers the following useful features:
Custom seating plans for maximum employee productivityReal-time tracking of current seating and office layoutAdvanced insights into analytics to tailor your space according to your needsSimplified desk and meeting room booking
With these helpful capabilities, you'll be able to ensure no space goes to waste and save costs while allowing your employees to enjoy the benefits of flexible space models.
Make Your Ideal Floor Plan With Ease
Creating a floor plan that works for your business is essential for promoting productivity and efficiency. Considering the office layout, employee input, space usage, and work models when designing your floor plan can help you create an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation while being cost-effective.
With the help of automated software systems like POC's Space Management Solution, you can rest assured all these aspects will be combined to provide you with the best results and create a successful floor plan that works for your business.
■ Need help creating your floor plan? Book a demo to explore POC's features
Work models8 Benefits of Hot Desking to Consider For Your StartupMany startups often overlook the importance of selecting the right work model and office layout for their workplace—I certainly did! Like most organizations, I just followed the traditional closed office model. Now, while sticking with tried-and-tested models is not wrong, there are many benefits of hot desking that you might be missing out on.
Let's dive in and see how exactly hot desking can help your startup in the long run.
1. Enables Significant Savings on Real Estate Expenses
This is perhaps the best overall advantage of hot desking (or at least it should be according to my accountant). Hot desking has eliminated the need for a dedicated workspace for each employee, so I don’t have to worry about renting or purchasing large spaces to accommodate my growing team. This also means that my overhead costs like furniture and office supplies are minimized, and I won't necessarily get stuck in long-term contracts or lease agreements.
I think saving on real estate expenses is particularly relevant for startups since they're often in need of flexible workspace solutions while they scale up and build their team. Hot desking has helped me with this.
2. Eliminates the Traditional Office Hierarchy
A traditional workspace setup has an inherent power structure and hierarchy. This can restrict the free flow of thoughts, ideas, and opinions, which can limit a startup's potential for growth.
I've seen how hot desking levels the playing field between my employees. With no physical separation between team members, there's an improved sense of equality and cooperation, which encourages creativity and innovation in our workplace.
3. Means to Attract & Retain Top Talent
Getting and keeping talented employees can be very difficult. Top talent often gets multiple offers, so they can compare companies at their leisure—and they do! But since we implemented hot desking, it's something that regularly catches applicants' eyes and they ask about it.
Hot desking is a flexible and dynamic setup that prospective employees find attractive. It shows that our startup is open to new ideas, solutions, and growth.
■ Flexible workspaces improve employee happiness: Here's how
4. Fosters a More Collaborative Work Environment
Keeping with the idea of a level playing field, hot desking has helped to improve the collaboration and communication between my employees. The setup allows team members to move freely around the office and interact with each other in an organic manner. We've seen that it also helps to foster trust between team members as everyone is expected to contribute toward our company’s success.
5. Offers Greater Autonomy to Employees
Most companies fail to observe that employees crave autonomy, and this is especially true for startups. It's too easy to fall into the trap of micromanaging your employees. So, while we can argue that managing styles could always be improved, we did manage to give our employees autonomy when it comes to their workspace.
Hot desking gives our employees the freedom to choose where they want to work each day. They're no longer tied to conventional desks and can easily switch between workspaces if they want to work in a different area or get some inspiration from another team. It also allows them to work at their own pace, making the most of their time and resources.
Hot desking encourages our employees to take ownership of their work environment and become more engaged with our company’s objectives.
■ Explore the difference between hot desking vs hoteling
6. Improves Company Culture
The hot desking advantages I've already mentioned—more autonomy, better collaboration and communication, flat hierarchy—have all contributed to improving our company culture. Our atmosphere gives our employees a sense of ownership and belonging, which in turn boosts morale and employee satisfaction levels.
■ Here's how to prevent gender bias and proximity bias in your company culture
7. Enhances Employee Performance & Creativity
Building from the previous advantage: once motivated, our employees' performance and productivity increased. Hot desking fosters creativity by allowing team members to draw inspiration from each other and come up with innovative solutions. And isn't this what every organization is striving for?
By providing a work environment where our employees can freely collaborate, communicate, and be creative, we've opened up a whole new world of potential for our startup.
■ Follow these tips on managing your office space to increase employee productivity
8. Results in Neater, Tidier Workspaces
Finally, hot desking has helped us create a neater and tidier office environment. Since our teams no longer need to be assigned to their own desk space, the areas can be cleared of any unnecessary clutter and kept free from items that aren't necessary for day-to-day tasks. This has reduced the amount of waste that accumulates in the office over time.
■ Does hot desking actually work? Measure these metrics to determine its success
Start Off Hot!
As you've seen, hot desking has many advantages, particularly if you're a startup. However, switching to a hot desking setup might require plenty of consideration and strategic planning, which can be very tedious and time-consuming. There are many different aspects you need to consider.
One of the easiest ways to implement hot desking and circumvent all the hassle is to use POC’s office space management software. You can expedite the switch without requiring technical drafting skills, allowing you to create and run simulations to see what works best. You'll also have access to booking software if your employees want to book specific spaces in advance. Easily optimize your space utilization and manage your workspace smarter to enjoy these benefits.
■ Book a demo to see POC's solution in action
Office spaceEnclosed Office Layout: 7 Drawbacks From an HR PerspectiveEnclosed office layout is a type of office arrangement where workers are separated by solid walls or partitions. It often consists of cubicles, desks, and other furniture pieces that are arranged in rows and enclosed by walls.
This design aims to provide privacy and reduce workplace noise so your employees can focus on their work. However, it can also have a negative effect on team building and communication. Your employees can feel isolated in their cubicles, making it difficult for them to collaborate and build team chemistry.
This goes against what HR specialists are trying to achieve in the workplace—ensuring everyone's needs are taken into consideration when designing an office layout. Your workspace should be inviting and welcoming to all employees, regardless of their individual characteristics.
But no office layout is ever perfect. Each type of design has its own set of pros and cons. Let's dive into the main drawbacks of an enclosed office layout.
■ Find out how open vs closed office spaces compare
1. Complicates Supervision of Work
A closed office space layout can make it difficult for you to supervise and manage employees. Since individual cubicles are often separated by solid partitions, you can't effectively observe how your employees are working. You'll have to physically move around to check in with everyone, which can feel awkward and a bit intrusive.
From an HR perspective, this type of office layout can be counterproductive as it makes it harder to ensure everyone is on the same page and doing their work properly.
2. Increases Likelihood of Employee Misconduct
Keeping with the thread that it's more difficult to supervise your employees, it also means it's easier for them to misuse their work time and engage in misconduct such as:
Gossiping Taking long breaks Surfing the web during work hours
Your managers and HR staff might miss this behavior which can lead to a decline in productivity and an increase in disciplinary action. This isn't ideal in any workspace.
3. Reduces Effective Communication & Collaboration Among Employees
Closed office spaces can impede quick and easy conversations between your employees. They may be hesitant to share ideas or ask questions in their cubicles, and the physical separation makes it difficult to collaborate on projects.
From an HR specialist’s point of view, this can be extremely damaging to team morale and collaboration if it blocks the free flow of ideas. If your employees become more isolated, it can lead to a decrease in job satisfaction.
■ Want to increase employee satisfaction? Follow these tips to optimize your office space
4. Results in Decreased Productivity
Feelings of isolation and disconnectedness along with less strict supervision can lead to a decline in productivity. Your employees may find it difficult to focus on tasks and remain productive.
Closed office spaces can also make it harder for your HR specialists to keep track of workflow and ensure everyone is meeting deadlines. When the productivity of your teams suffers, your HR department can't focus on improving other aspects of your workplace but has to devote more time to addressing this issue.
■ Discover how to manage your office space to increase employee productivity
5. Significantly Impacts Overall Office Culture
Your office culture is a reflection of your company’s values and how people interact with each other. It goes without saying that if you have an inadequate office culture, it can damage morale and team performance because your employees may feel uncomfortable sharing their ideas or engaging with each other.
As a result, the general atmosphere in the office can become toxic and cause more conflicts, which means your HR team has to spend more time and resources trying to resolve them.
■ Prevent gender bias in your office culture by optimizing your office space
6. Lacks Organization-Wide Accessibility to Information
Your employees can find it difficult to access the resources they need in a closed office space. For example, an employee may not be able to access information about a certain project from their cubicle. Similarly, if an employee needs help from another department or team, it can be difficult to make contact.
Limited access to information creates a lack of transparency and accountability within your company. This can lead to confusion among your employees and negatively affect your company's overall productivity and success.
7. More Likely to Result in Workflow Disruptions
Finally, your employees can experience significant workflow disruptions because they're isolated and not as readily available to resolve issues together (and swiftly).
Furthermore, the lack of visibility in closed office spaces can make it more difficult for HR specialists to monitor the progress of tasks and ensure that everyone is working efficiently. If your employees are not held accountable for their work, it can negatively impact the quality and speed of projects, which in turn can result in further workflow disruptions.
The Verdict
The disadvantages associated with a closed office layout can have a significant impact on your performance because it limits communication and interaction between your employees, reduces overall office culture, and leads to workflow disruptions. Consequently, an open office layout may be more suited for you if you prioritize engagement and networking as it encourages collaboration and communication while creating an inclusive environment.
Knowing all this, you're probably already thinking of reconfiguring your office space. However, this requires a lot of careful and strategic planning, but there are many ways to speed up the process. Using convenient solutions like POC's space management software is the easiest way to make your office more productive by properly optimizing space. With it, you can find a way to maximize space utilization to make your office a much more practical place—both for your employees and business.
■ Want to get started? Book a demo
Office spaceOpen vs. Closed Spaces: Which Office Layout Fits Your Culture Best?Recently, the modern workplace has undergone a dramatic shift in the way companies design their offices—open plan offices and workspaces are becoming increasingly popular.
The primary difference between an open plan and a closed space lies in the layout. Open plan offices typically have a single, shared space with minimal individual rooms. This allows for better collaboration and easier communication between employees. In contrast, closed spaces are typically divided into individual cubicles or rooms that provide more privacy and a sense of personal space.
Open Office Space
To understand why so many companies are moving towards open space offices, let's have a look at the main characteristics, pros, and cons.
Key Features
Rows of desks that allow employees to find their "neighbors" easily. More natural light can flow into the workplace, making it a more pleasant environment.Areas for engagement and casual conversations like break rooms and lounge sections.
ProsMore cost-efficientMaximizes available spaceIncreases communication & collaborationHighly flexible & adaptablePromotes employee health & well-beingConsLack of privacyOften noisy & distractingFrequent disruptions cause employee anxiety
One of the main benefits of open plan offices is that they're more cost-efficient. You can maximize your office space and save on rent costs by parting ways with individual cubicles and rooms. Now, your employees have easier access to one another, thereby increasing communication and collaboration. More human connection (and natural light) is also good for your employees' well-being. Finally, a highly flexible open office can be rearranged easily, saving you time and effort.
In contrast, a main drawback is a lack of privacy, so it can be difficult for your employees to focus or have confidential conversations. Open plan offices are also often filled with noise and chatter. These distractions and interruptions can increase your employees' stress levels.
■ Explore additional benefits of open space offices
Closed Office Space
Now, let's see what closed office spaces bring to the table.
Key Features
Separate offices for employees including individual cubicles or rooms. Room dividers to separate the workspace into smaller sections. Screens dividing spaces to maintain privacy and reduce noise levels.
ProsOffers more privacy & silenceFewer distractions & disruptionsClear sense of hierarchy & orderCalmer environment results in happier employeesConsMore expensiveWeaker interpersonal relationshipsPossible team isolation
The benefits of closed offices stem from the increased privacy they offer. Because each of your employees has their own space, they can focus better and are disrupted less by noise or colleagues—which in turn can make your employees happier and more productive. Separate offices and spaces also create a clear sense of order and hierarchy, which can be beneficial in some workplaces.
But closed offices also have drawbacks. They're typically more expensive than open plan offices because they need more square footage and furnishings. The privacy offered by closed offices can also lead to weaker relationships between your employees as they're less likely to interact with one another on a daily basis. This includes not getting the feedback or collaboration they need to succeed, causing feelings of isolation and low morale.
■ Discover how office layout can affect gender bias
Choose the Right Design for Your Workspace Culture
Ultimately, the right office layout will depend on the type of work your company does and the culture you wish to foster in your workspace. If your workspace culture is collaborative, creative, and encourages social interaction, then an open space office layout is most suitable. On the other hand, if your workspace culture values privacy and individual work styles, then a closed-space office layout is more suitable. Both layouts have their pros and cons, so it's important to assess your workspace needs thoroughly before making a decision.
Nevertheless, both open and closed offices require effective space planning and management. This is where a dedicated solution like POC's space management software does all of the hard work for you. You can fully visualize your space and customize it to your needs in a dynamic interface—without requiring the skills of an AutoCAD expert. Moreover, you'll have access to detailed metrics so you can make informed business decisions with the help of an all-in-one platform.
■ Book a demo to try POC's features for yourself
Office space7 Benefits of Open Space Offices: Improved Teamwork & MoreLately, there has been a drastic shift from personal spaces to working in shared spaces. This is especially true with the emergence of open space offices. Also known as open plan or shared office spaces, these office setups are designed to optimize collaboration.
The challenges and benefits of open space offices are being discussed around the world. The main disadvantages include increased noise levels, lack of privacy, and potential distractions. Noise levels can be especially disruptive, as people are often talking or making phone calls, and it can be difficult to focus. Individuals can also feel exposed without the privacy of their own offices.
That being said, the benefits of open space offices far outweigh the drawbacks. Here are seven advantages I experienced in an open office layout.
■ Discover how open vs closed office spaces compare
1. Improves Communication Among Employees
I've found that communication flows better between my employees because they have greater accessibility to one another. Their coordination and collaboration improved because they can interact with one another on projects quickly and easily.
An unexpected bonus is the social element present in the office. My employees have more opportunities to network with each other, giving them a better understanding of one another's roles and responsibilities.
2. Enhances Collaboration & Teamwork
It quickly became apparent that noise levels had to be kept in check. But instead of enforcing an office-wide law (and creating a negative atmosphere), we set up dedicated spaces for planning, brainstorming, and collaboration.
In this way, my employees are encouraged to work together to solve problems, come up with creative solutions, and ultimately build a better working environment. We also noticed that this extended to interdepartmental teamwork, giving us better project outcomes.
3. Encourages Creative Thinking
I've touched on creativity in the previous point, but I want to emphasize it separately here. My employees' mindsets and approaches changed, because suddenly employees with different perspectives, experiences, and skills worked together in a space that encouraged them to do so. And they generated insightful and innovative solutions.
4. Fosters More Transparent Office Culture
Our open office space eliminated the traditional hierarchy you'll find in a closed office space. We created more of a flat structure that made our teams and departments feel more connected to one another. This created a greater sense of belonging and a significantly more relaxed atmosphere in the office.
We believe transparency is key in all aspects of professional life and want to reflect this in our office space.
■ Optimizing your office space can help you prevent gender bias in your office culture
5. Promotes Employee Health & Well-being
Because our office has fewer walls and physical structures, our employees can move around more freely to take advantage of the larger workspace. It encourages movement and helps to reduce sedentary behavior and promotes a healthier lifestyle. There's also more natural light in an open space office which contributes to a better working environment.
We also placed common resources in centralized areas. This is more effective from a practical viewpoint, but it also means our employees have to walk around more and take the stairs. This helps to reduce stress levels and improve overall physical and mental well-being.
■ Follow these tips to increase your employee satisfaction even more
6. Offer Greater Spatial Flexibility
With no barriers or cubicles in our office space, we can use the space more dynamically. It took a while before we found a set up that worked for us, but because the office space is so flexible, it's easy to make changes and try different arrangements.
This goes both for our teams and the furniture. If the size of a team or if their needs change, we can reorganize until we have a space that's comfortable and productive.
■ Learn more about how flexible workspaces increase employee happiness
7. More Cost-Effective Layout
Finally, we've saved on certain costs because open space offices have fewer overheads. For example, we don't have to build separate walls for each room but can simply use furniture and dividers to create distinct areas in the office.
We've been able to reduce these costs because of our open office plan:
Lighting and heating expenses Power billsSupplies and materials Furniture costs
Start Maximizing Your Office Space
I've found an open space office to be a great asset because of the potential advantages it offers—like those I've just discussed. However, it's not enough to just create the space and then expect to see results immediately. It's about optimizing the space for your business's and employees' needs and continuously trying until you find the right setup.
A modern, digital solution like POC's space management software makes it easy to enjoy the benefits of office space optimization. View your workspace in real-time and make whichever adjustments you want. The software keeps track of your changes and gives you real data to help you see if these changes were effective. If you take nothing else from this post, remember: Partner with professionals to get the most out of your office space.
■ Want to try it for yourself? Book a demo
Work models7 Game-Changing Coworking Space Trends to Expect in 2023Coworking spaces are transforming the way we work and collaborate. They're transforming our cities, our economy, and even how we think about the future of working. The coworking space industry and its trends are growing faster than ever, while also constantly changing and evolving.
Therefore, it's important for coworking space owners and managers to stay on top of the trends that will shape their industry in the coming years. In this article, we discuss the most anticipated game-changing trends that will be adopted by coworking spaces in 2023.
1. Rise of Spaces With Multiple Locations
Many coworking companies have only one or two locations, which is still restrictive because many people don’t have access to them. By 2023, expect to see more coworking spaces with multiple locations popping up around the globe. This will allow even more people to work in a space that fits their needs and preferences.
2. Growth of Niche-specific Spaces
While coworking spaces aim to offer a professional environment at a reduced cost, niche-specific spaces add additional value by offering a tailored space for a targeted group. Focus can be placed on a specific profession (e.g., artists, designers, consultants, etc.) or demographic (e.g., single working parents). The space is designed to cater to their specific needs and encourages them to form a community or support base.
3. Connection to Natural World
Coworking is all about connecting people, and nature can be just as powerful of a connector as technology. In 2023, expect to see more coworking spaces incorporating elements of nature into their designs. This will not only give people a break from staring at screens all day but can also help to improve productivity and mental health. A green workspace can be implemented by bringing more plants indoors, having outside areas surrounded by luscious plant life, or offering programs that are orientated towards sustainability.
4. Focus on Fostering Community & Culture
Coworking spaces are more than just office buildings. They’re designed to be communities that foster collaboration and creativity among their members, which can help them grow into some of the world’s most innovative companies. In 2023, you can expect coworking spaces to continue building on this idea by providing avenues for people to connect outside of work hours as well through classes, leisure activities, or coworking events.
5. Evolution of Corporate Culture
Corporate culture has drastically changed since 2020 as traditional office setups are no longer the only option. Flexibility has become the keyword and coworking spaces provide just that. Companies can provide their employees with a space that meets their specific needs, thereby ensuring employee satisfaction and increased productivity. Coworking spaces can allow for private, focused work as well as opportunities for connection and growth.
6. Innovative Space Design & Layout
Space planning and management are at the core of coworking spaces. Apart from practical considerations like setup costs and maintenance, the type of employees that will use the space dictate everything else—because why invest in a space that's not going to be utilized? Effective coworking spaces have flexible seating (private vs open and inside vs outside) because different tasks may require different environments. They also have appealing visuals and take note of the colors used in different spaces to stimulate different moods.
7. Increasing Need For Automation & Technological Integration
In the modern workplace, the need for automation keeps growing. Coworking spaces are no exception. From robotic cleaners to automated check-in kiosks, coworking spaces use technology to streamline various processes such as space management software, booking systems, and employee time tracking. They can also provide their members with tools like Wi-Fi, printers and scanners, and other services like meeting rooms and conference calls with just one click on their website.
Ready to Up Your Game?
The coworking space industry is growing at a breakneck pace, with the number of coworking spaces expected to grow by more than 50% in the next five years. However, it's not just about the numbers—it's about how these spaces are changing the way people work and interact.
Coworking spaces need to stay ahead of the curve and continue to provide an environment that meets employee needs, whether it's investing in a niche audience, fostering community and corporate culture, optimizing office space, or investing in the newest technology.
■ Looking for an all-in-one spacing solution? Explore POC System's solutions
Work modelsTop 5 Hybrid Work Model Examples to Get You InspiredThere are many different ways to picture the future of the workplace—including hybrid working models. While this method may appeal to you, you may be unsure where to start, especially regarding your employees and workspace management.
Here are 5 great examples of businesses that have made the hybrid model work for them that you can follow.
■ Where do you start? Create a wise seating allocation for your hybrid workspace
1. Remote-first Hybrid Work Model | Spotify
Working remotely is the norm in the remote-first work model, whether from employees' homes or even coworking spaces. Although the business still might have some office space (for functions that must be performed on-site), all of the operations and rules align with remote work and its requirements.
Numerous employees at Spotify were overjoyed when the company introduced the "work from anywhere" (WFA) model in February 2021, allowing employees to move and work from different cities and countries. Spotify's strategy is to create an agile work environment, thereby distributing work through teams and giving employees more autonomy and flexibility, while still encouraging office visits (e.g., corporate events, in-person onboarding, etc.). Spotify's hybrid work model is an excellent example of how a company can use remote and in-office employees to improve productivity, efficiency, and work ethic.
Their remote-first model has allowed the company to:
Attract top talent worldwideMaintain current workforce (especially those that moved away from loved ones to be close to the office)Empower employees (creating a positive workforce)
2. Office-first Hybrid Work Model | Meta/Facebook
The office-first model requires employees to work in the office for the majority of the time, with optional remote working as needed.
Meta's implementation of the office-first hybrid work model has inspired people worldwide because the company is working to find new ways to make the workplace more flexible and efficient. Meta's policy requires that employees work in the office at least 3 days per week and work remotely when needed. The company is also developing its own tools to allow for seamless remote and in-person collaboration.
The advantages Meta has enjoyed so far include:
Employees have better work experiences (mixing autonomy of remote work with social advantages of working in person).Increased employee satisfaction (flexibility and employer taking their needs into consideration)Wider talent nets can be cast when hiring new employees (more applicants may apply for positions if they don't necessarily have to relocate for work).
3. Split-week Hybrid Work Model | Apple
The split-week hybrid work model is more ridged because it determines which days employees must be in office and which days they can work remotely.
This work model implemented by Apple requires employees to work in the office Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, while they can work from home on Wednesdays and Fridays (with manager approval). Additionally, Apple also allows their employees to work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year.
The benefits of the split-week hybrid work model include:
Improving logistics (e.g., maintenance, food services, personal arrangements employees have to make, etc.).Improving collaboration and team dynamics (work schedule means you know when your team is in office).
4. Designated Teams Hybrid Work Model | Google
The designated teams hybrid work model maximizes efficiency and employee productivity because it assigns which teams work in the office and which from home.
Google has implemented this model, stating that work schedules will depend on the specific team and each employee's function within the team. Therefore, some employees may work fully remote, some can split their time (3 days in office and 2 days remote), and some may have to work in office 4-5 days per week. It comes down to the best way to achieve company and team goals.
Additionally, employees get 4 work-from-anywhere weeks per year, focus time to limit internal meetings, and reset days where employees globally get an extra day off to rest.
The advantages of this hybrid work model include:
Employees have a better work-life balance (different work options can suit different work preferences).Employees have increased their productivity (especially because of focus time and reset days)
5. Flexible Hybrid Work Model | Salesforce
The flexible hybrid work model encourages all employees to work in a location and at a time that's best for them, thereby improving their effectiveness.
Salesforce has successfully implemented this model by being employee-focused. On any given day, employees must either work from a customer location, home, or the office. They can access all the necessary tools to complete their work from anywhere. Salesforce's work model easily synchronizes remote and in-person team members and emphasizes assessing workers based on results.
A flexible hybrid work model has allowed Salesforce to:
Increase employee productivity (employees feel trusted and have autonomy)Improve employee well-being (employees manage stress and workloads better)
Ready to Get Started?
These examples are just a sample of what's possible with hybrid models. Use some of these practices as a foundation, but make sure to tailor your model to your company and your employees' needs. Consider additional factors such as how to best optimize your office space, combat proximity bias, manage costs, and implement software to streamline processes. Remember that your model may be in flux at first until you've tried and tested different practices to find the right fit.
■ Looking for an all-in-one partner to help? Explore POC System's solutions