As Singapore’s workforce navigates the shift back to physical offices, employers play a crucial role in defining the post-pandemic workplace.
Singapore’s real estate landscape is witnessing significant shifts as employers and employees adapt to the post-pandemic workplace. A recent study by global workforce creation experts Unispace, entitled “Returning for Good,” sheds light on key factors influencing employee satisfaction and productivity from a real estate standpoint. With 500 Singapore employees and 250 senior decision-makers in Singapore companies participating, the study provides valuable insights for real estate professionals
looking to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.
Assigned Spaces are crucial
According to the report, 94% of employees’ hot-desking in Singapore would be pleased to return to the office more frequently if they were provided with an assigned workspace. The alternative solution to assigned spaces for improving employee happiness and retention is a flexible or hybrid workspace model. This approach includes activity-based spaces, hot-desking, remote work options, flexible hours, wellness areas, technology enablement, and employee involvement. It focuses on results-based incentives, training for adaptability, and continuous improvement. This model offers employees more autonomy and work-life balance while still fostering a productive and supportive work environment.
Privacy and Productivity
While employers and employees both anticipate a future where four days in the workplace will be the norm, a substantial disparity exists in their perceptions of the ideal office environment. For employees, a lack of privacy in the office compared to their home working environment (34%) and the desire for a quieter, more remote working setting (31%) emerged as significant concerns. In contrast, employers tended to focus on convenience-related factors.
Achieving a harmonious and efficient work environment involves striking a balance between privacy and productivity in the workplace. This can be accomplished through a flexible workspace design that offers various options, such as open-plan areas, private offices, and collaborative spaces. By combining these elements, employees can select the most suitable setting for their tasks, ultimately fostering productivity while respecting their privacy needs.
