Why companies should consider alternative workspaces as an employee benefit
Flexible workspaces can bridge the gap between fully remote work and the traditional office setting.
As companies today plan for the new normal, many are faced with the question of what workforce model works best for our employees. Employers, CEOs, and people leaders worldwide are asking themselves: Should we ask our employees to come back to the office? Should we let them work from home and become a remote-first company? Or is there another hybrid option? How do we strike a balance and keep employees safe and happy?
Related: Hybrid work policies: The new make-or-break for recruiting
Working remotely and working from the office both have their perks and challenges, but alternative workspaces may be a unique solution to reconcile their differences. In fact, alternative workspaces can be considered a workplace benefit that helps employers tackle hybrid work challenges while keeping employees happy.
Benefits to both employer and employees
Research has shown that almost 80% of people will want to keep working remotely in some capacity when the pandemic ends, but not everyone is comfortable working from home (and some may be looking for a change of scenery outside their four walls).
One logical consequence is the expansion of flexible workspaces as people started looking for a suitable environment to conduct their best work. Flexible workspaces have benefits for us all – both employers and employees – and should be considered part of employers’ formal benefits packages.
Convenient, non-traditional locations
Sometimes, employees are required to relocate when they get a job. This usually means increased costs both for the employer and for the employee. The employer typically covers some housing expenses, such as rent, while the employee needs time and resources to adapt to a new location.
With all this in mind, flexible workspaces are a golden solution, bridging the gap between fully remote work and the traditional office setting. They resemble an office and provide you with the necessary silence and equipment to work, but you don’t have to commute since you can choose the space closest to your home.
Improved employee satisfaction
The possibility of working from home has undoubtedly affected the Workplace Happiness Index, which is now higher than in 2019. Allowing employees to work remotely may make or break their decision to stick with their employer. Flexibility and the ability to work remotely will be considered one of the main perks of any job and an essential factor in your employee retention strategy. Remember, happy employees are loyal employees!
Increases productivity
The traditional 9-5 workday is not ideal for all employees. When employers have a strict schedule, they’re forcing workers to adapt to the company’s working hours. According to a recent Microsoft survey, many workers find that their “in the zone” time is actually early in the morning, outside the traditional working hours. Why not use them? Listening to employees and allowing them to have flexible schedules can significantly impact the company’s productivity levels.
Commitment to employees’ wellbeing
In 2019, employees who participated in a Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report said they’d love to have healthier conditions in their workspaces. And now, it’s finally happening. Leaders and managers from companies worldwide are starting to understand how important it is to help employees maintain their mental health and overall wellbeing in the workplace. They realize how office space can affect employees’ wellness and therefore, the outcome of their work.
The pandemic has shown how important it is to be mindful of our physical and mental health. Many people faced isolation, depression, and other issues during quarantine, and employers have learned how much impact those issues can have on their employees’ performance at work.
Since we spend so much time at work – around one-third of our days – it’s critical employees feel safe and comfortable in the space we’re expected to perform at their best all the time. That’s why companies try to enable the most convenient workspaces for their employees. Alternative workspaces provide:
- Flexibility: Employees can come and go whenever they like, improving overall wellbeing and happiness.
- Socializing: Alternative workspaces enable collaboration with colleagues or with people from other companies.
- Great working conditions: Companies that provide flexible workspaces are creating an optimal working environment – no distractions, high air quality, a lot of light, standing desks – everything that benefits employees’ health.
In these challenging times, including alternative workspaces as an employee benefit can be a part of an overarching employee wellbeing strategy, which every employer should have in place. By adding the possibility to use flexible workspaces to your employee benefits package, you can attract the most talented individuals from all over the globe. It’s just one step towards building exceptional teams and achieving even more exceptional results.
Liza Mash Levin is CEO and co-founder of Gable.
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