Most companies want both the collaborative atmosphere a physical office provides and the flexibility to support remote work for their employees.Although demand for flexible workspace has increased amid uncertainty as companies look for cost-management solutions and work from home (WFH) has increased dramatically, it is not without its issues.
WFH removes commuting time and expenses but does impact creative thinking - especially within the often cramped living conditions in Hong Kong. Concerns about lagging creativity and loneliness demonstrate that there is still a role for the office in a post-COVID-19 world. The situation has also made it difficult for companies to accurately predict office space requirements for future headcounts. Subsequently, the re-evaluation of office strategy by many organisations right now is creating huge demand for flexible workspace as companies try to manage costs and avoid a potential loss on long-term leases.
Workers and workspaces of the future must be agile and versatile. Whichever way businesses move forward post Covid-19, flexibility seems key.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
