Is it really necessary to go into the office to accomplish productive office work? When I ran the real estate org for a 30,000+ employee company, every office worker had an assigned desk. And, many of those desks sat empty throughout the week. We measured that the average desk utilization number on any given week was around 45%. Work was being performed, but not always in the office.
Ambitious and diligent employees will collaborate and produce with accountability whether they’re in the office or not. Slackers will perform poorly regardless of whether being seen or not. And while there are social positives to in-office face time, in-person work as the norm is a relic. Beware though: If you’re not sharing information with your managers and co-workers, you’ll become a pariah who is: a) resented for not collaborating, and b) eventually overlooked. Communicating skillfully will always be a necessary and valued indicator of performance accountability no matter where you work.
The demographic balance of influence has shifted. A greater percentage of employees now understand how to work in a mobile work environment. And, we humans appreciate exercising control over our work environment. Organizations who embrace an agile space mentality are better positioned to retain employees, so adapt your in-office environment by giving your employees choices of where to work, when they do come into the office.
I have low confidence in the return to a highly populated office and the fully remote work model. The hybrid office arrangement will endure and expand. Cities and their businesses and landlords who rely on captive office workers for their lifeblood will decline.
It’s evolution.