More space or less space? Workplace design strategies to adapt to the hybrid working style

Companies are making important space decisions as they manage the effects COVID-19 has had on how and where their employees work, the pandemic proved that remote work does not negatively impact employee efficacy. Fewer people in the office can mean less office space.

The office gets smaller

Recently, the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is severe, and some enterprises and government departments have made arrangement for some employees to work from home. One study showed that 94% of employers found productivity the same, if not higher, after transitioning to remote work during COVID-19, with 83% planning to continue a hybrid schedule indefinitely. Companies are making important space decisions as they manage the effects COVID-19 has had on how and where their employees work. The pandemic proved that remote work does not negatively impact employee efficacy. Fewer people in the office can mean less office space. 

Workplace design strategies to adapt to the hybrid working style

1. Facilitate in-office collaboration
2. Construct hybrid workplace
3. Utilize Smart Workplace technology
4. All start from here

Facilitate in-office collaboration

Nevertheless, there is logic in reducing space and encouraging employees back into the office. The underlying question here is that although many jobs can be done productively with employees working from home, what immeasurable metrics of creativity may be lost? For companies that put a premium on collaboration and innovation, gathering employees in the same space creates an environment where new and cutting-edge ideas can bloom. This has to do with a new approach to floor plans. By creating more open workspaces with hot-desking and unassigned seating, collaboration and intraoffice morale can be promoted and more people can be accommodated in smaller spaces. 

Construct hybrid workplace

Hybrid working is the new format of remote working, offering employees greater flexibility. While you may not have the same resources as global tech brands, you can still follow a similar playbook. After all, in a hybrid world, working from home is a desirable norm. The pandemic has changed the way we collaborate, and companies need to provide on-site meeting space. How to revamp the existing office? Should we increase meeting spaces instead of renovating the whole office? Deploying the smart pod allows you to have a fully customizable and modular private space at your office in less than a day! - No hassle and construction required! 

Deploying the smart furniture allows you to have a fully customizable and modular private space at your office in less than a day! - No hassle and construction required! 

Learn more about Ricoh Smart Pod

Utilize Smart Workplace technology

As concerns over social distancing still weigh heavily on in-office decisions, smaller offices with shared workspace may seem risky. However, with many of these offices employing staggered schedules and allowing a hybrid work model, many believe that it can be the best of both worlds: safe and effective. Ricoh integrates space, technology and people to provide a safe and better working environment, empowering employees and visitors to make safer decisions about their day with real-time capacity displays, and to manage the seat/room reservations with a booking system to avoid crowded meetings after returning to the office. Our Smart Hygiene solution can monitor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in real time and trigger the Smart Air Treatment System when needed. We are empowering digital workplaces. Collaboration with co-workers is easier and the real-time exchange of ideas and information is a reality. Employees have the tools they need to be productive — whenever and wherever they are. Our experience and cutting-edge technologies help improve productivity and collaboration, empowering employees to work smartly.  

Employees have the tools they need to be productive — whenever and wherever they are.

How Ricoh empowering digital workplaces

All start from here

Our workplace strategy is a unique approach to understand how your employees interact, what technologies are currently in use, and how well the office space is utilized. Combining our knowledge in design and technology, we will guide you on how to transform your workplace according to the way your employees work and incorporate your company's identity into the workplace which helps create a better employee experience and increase productivity. We work with you as a team to customize a workplace strategy that aligns with your vision, brand image, budgets, and timelines across different stakeholders. 

Contact us now for a FREE workplace optimization assessment or a Live Showcase Tour!