Memories – is the office environment as we knew it a thing of the past ?
NO PLACE LIKE HOME ?
Office life may never be the same again …
One thing Covid-19 has changed dramatically is the way we work . Some businesses have realised homeworking suits them . For others , having staff in the office is essential . Matthew Clarke , partner at Sanderson Weatherall , weighs up the debate for both …
Clearly Covid-19 has presented challenges to industries of all shapes and sizes and the property market has been no exception .
The office market in particular has been the subject of much speculation and debate , with contrasting opinions polarising many .
Practically overnight , businesses were forced to operate with significant numbers working from home , something that provided a pleasant change for many employees .
Recent reports suggest that people have been as productive as they were before the crisis and collaboration has increased in some circumstances thanks to calls , virtual meetings and working on documents in real time .
This change to people ’ s general working pattern will probably be most pronounced to those who previously had a long commute with a significant time and costsaving benefit . The idea of investing in local coffee shops and businesses closer to home and the ability to play an active role in your own child ’ s education has been a refreshing revelation for some .
As employers open their eyes to the possibilities of efficient and productive home working , they may begin to question how much space they require and therein the possible occupational cost-saving implications .
Of course , there are counter arguments to this – not all businesses can simply work from home . Many benefit from staff being in the office , with the lack of face-to-face
74 | Tees Business contact taking its toll on people ’ s abilities to learn and train , as well as weakening individuals ’ emotional connection with their company , leading to a diminishing company culture .
Most employees require the social interaction that office environments provide . Many successful working relationships are built on both unintended interactions ( the infamous “ water cooler moments ”) as well as pre-arranged calls and meetings .
We suspect the answer lies somewhere in between , with a greater emphasis on agile working and embracing better quality and more inclusive working environments .
These changes give offices a new purpose as a destination for innovation and learning , empowering employees to plan their own working week .
Agile working is not a new topic . Previously adopted by some , it has now forced on others due to the impacts of the global pandemic .
Advances in technology allow occupiers to embrace this change and take this new way of working in their stride . Businesses will promote workstations , rather than fixed furniture , and encourage employees to use the office as a hub rather than a set location .
Requirements will naturally tighten , as occupiers seek less space , but a hot topic is how businesses will manage the agile space accordingly . One model will include a gym-like membership with an interactive app , where an employee can check the occupancy levels at the office before deciding whether to make the trip .
The demand for office still remains strong , with the need to provide good quality accommodation key to attracting and retaining the best talent .
The amount of space an occupier requires , and the occupancy levels proposed , will , however , differ across the market . The general perception is threeto-four working days in the office , with the rest of the time spent working from home or elsewhere .
But , once again , this is sector driven – for example , a traditional call centre will adopt a different strategy to , say , a law firm .
Landlords are monitoring these changes closely . In the short term , the need for “ plug and play ” flexible space is prevalent , with occupiers seeking short-term space while they review their property strategy . The mid-to-long-term projection focuses on three key areas : flexible floorplates , high specification interiors and the ability to offer a CAT B fit out , either speculatively , or as part of a deal .
Whether 2020 is seen as merely a “ speed bump ” in wider economic and property times , or whether it will have far wider and a more deep-rooted impact ultimately remains to be seen .
Get in touch with Sanderson Weatherall to discuss your office requirements or find out how they ’ re helping businesses in their phased return to work .
Matthew Clarke Partner , Sanderson Weatherall Tel : 01642 426921 E : matthew . clarke @ sw . co . uk