After 2020, there has been a huge increase of teams working from home forcing companies to be more flexible. As time has gone on the hybrid method has slowly been introduced to lessen the amount of time workers spend at home, but research has shown that many teams actually prefer to work from home as it gives them the flexibility to do any task they need without having to be chained to one desk. This is where the Agile Working method arrived, and it does not seem to be going anywhere any time soon.
What Does Agile Working Mean?
This term has been used as a way to describe many methods of flexible working, but actually has a reasoning and methodology behind it. With this method, there is more of a focus on what your office space can offer, rather than what your team can do. It is a way to allow each team member to choose their method of working, whether that be as a group in an energetic and creative brainstorming session, quietly on your own in a breakout space or presenting to others in an open area. This sort of working space can include a range of spaces with privacy pods, dining seating, comfortable sofas and your typical desks with computers. The main point of an agile working environment is to provide a diverse range of options to suit everyone.
Utilizing Your Space
Up until recent years, if you walked through a typical office, you would find desks, computers and swivel chairs in a dull yet busy square space. Now, post covid you can never know what to expect, which is why so many people are taking advantage of this change in pace. Studies have found that when designing an office space with basic desks and chairs can take up over 70% of your offices space, meanwhile, agile workspaces can reduce this to only 50% whilst creating a more collaborative and engaging environment for your team to work in. By getting creative with the furniture you choose, you can create breakout areas, privacy zones, dining areas, social spots and so much more. This is also very beneficial for those with an office space which is a little awkward or hard to navigate, allowing you to be creative with how you plan it. Allowing your team to choose how they work and where they work when they come into the office gives them back control over their day, which takes us onto our next point.
Give the Control Back to Your Team
Many of us know the feeling of dread before walking into an office and sitting next to someone you just don’t get on with. From Chatty Cathy to Negative Nelly, we have all had someone next to us who we just don’t want to have to spend time with. This is where agile working can be beneficial, allowing your team to choose the spaces they need for the work they are doing can offer them a sense of control and trust in their workday that they otherwise would not have. It provides a feeling of transparency amongst team members and management, which will ultimately create better working relationships. It has also been shared that 25% of 18–24-year-olds are desperate for breakout spaces to become a norm in their workplaces after experiencing them throughout university and college. Meanwhile 23% are also hoping that privacy areas are prioritised to allow for spaces for solo work or smaller teams to have spaces to quietly collaborate. This would give your team the opportunity to choose the space for their task.
Team Retention and Wellbeing
Working a 9-5 can take a toll on a person, so finding a good balance to help ensure team members not only don’t mind being in work but enjoy it is essential. First it is important to remember that your team are human beings, not machines, so giving them a place to unwind and enjoy being in whilst working is important. It is also important to remember that not everyone works the same way, so some people enjoy the hustle and bustle around them, whilst others may need silence to get through a task. So, giving people the option to choose their own working conditions allows them to get through tasks with greater efficiency with less stress. This increases retention as employees don’t feel extra and unnecessary stress, both encouraging a healthy work/life balance but increasing their overall wellbeing. Resulting in less sick days, higher moral and more motivation to achieve high results as they feel they are looked after and cared for in a workplace.
There are many more reasons we could encourage agile working, but this can cover the basics of the benefits it can have to you and your team. Whether you are a team of 10 or a team of 100, this method allows for a streamlined working environment eliminating some of these major work stresses and concerns. If you or your team are interested in kick starting the change to agile working, get in touch with our team today who will be able to advise on the best pieces for your office to become the best agile working space for your team. Alternatively, visit our Glasgow Showroom to speak in person and see some of the pieces we have to offer.