It's safe to say that working practices in the 21st century are
undergoing something of a revolution. The growth of technology and
the development of new ways about thinking of work and productivity
means that the concept of work as we know it is changing every
month.

Here are two of the biggest trends affecting employment and
productivity in the company.

 

Flexible working arrangements are fast becoming the
norm

The traditional concept of the 9 to 5 work day is steadily
becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to the growth of digital
technology, most kinds of computer-based work or administrative
tasks can be completed outside of the workplace. This opens up a
whole range of options when it comes to flexible working
patterns.

But why should employers care? Well, there's a host of reasons-
research has shown that flexible working provides benefits for both
the employer and the employee. Being able to choose their own hours
not only increases employee wellbeing and freedom, it also
maximises productivity and efficiency. It can reduce absenteeism in
the workplace, as well as boosting employee satisfaction and
reducing staff turnover. A happy worker really is a productive
worker.  Having a flexible approach to working hours will also
help to prepare your business for emergency situations, like
extended cold-snaps, where commuting to the office might be
difficult.

 

Open-plan office layouts are in. Cubicles are
out.

The days of permanent cubicles and fixed desks in offices are
coming to an end. Open floor plans and hot-desking are becoming
increasingly popular with many businesses thanks to the boost in
communication and productivity that they can provide.

Rather than assigning permanent desks and workspaces to each
employee, hot-desking allocates these workspaces based on when they
are required, eliminating the need for designated desks for each
worker and freeing up space in the process. The rise of distance
working and flexible working means that permanently assigned desks
can often be wasted space at particular times, hampering efficiency
and productivity. Hot desking is the perfect way to make the most
of this space.

Getting rid of walls can foster communication between different
groups in your team and promote a friendly, open and collaborative
working culture. Cutting the walls can also cut costs- after all,
wasted desks is wasted money.

If you're eager to implement your own open-plan office design,
investing in moveable furniture, providing a range of seating and
hot-desks, and creating specific collaboration areas for meetings
is a good idea.

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