Flexibility is key for modern businesses. It’s vital that you can adapt to industry trends and customer needs. But did you know that it’s also a sought-after feature for employees’ workspaces too?
In fact, research shows that flexibility is the most valued aspect of inclusive workspaces. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the findings and explore how you can create a flexible, inclusive workspace to help your workforce thrive.
Inclusive workspaces are a hot topic right now. But they’re not a complex idea or passing trend. Simply put, inclusivity is about ensuring that all employees feel valued, considered and included. As highlighted in our article on inclusivity barriers, poor inclusivity can affect morale, productivity and staff turnover.
So how do you make your workplace inclusive? It starts with the feelings, opinions and values of those within your office. Employee feedback is central to inclusivity. It gives you insights into the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. By seeking it, you’re also taking the first step to making employees feel valued and listened to.
For a broad idea of what employees want, consider this survey on employee inclusivity. When asked which factors were integral to an inclusive environment, 51.8% of employees selected flexibility as one of their top three. It was followed by accessibility (48%), ergonomic furniture (36.3) and quiet areas (36.1%).
So what exactly is flexibility, and how can it be incorporated into workplace design?
Download our report for more insightsAs the majority of workers identify flexibility as integral, it has shifted from being a nice-to-have to an essential component of modern offices. Above all else, flexibility centres around choice.
You can see this in the rise of flexible working. It gives workers more choices to improve their work-life balance, which could include:
However, in terms of the workspace itself, flexibility refers to adaptable spaces that give employees greater choice of where and how to work. Unfortunately, almost half of respondents in the aforementioned survey said that their workspace provides limited options in this respect.
It’s clear that there’s a huge misalignment in the demand for flexibility and its prevalence in our work environments. Below, we’ll discuss how to put that right.
To create a flexible workspace, you need to put choice at the heart of the design process. Businesses should focus on providing a variety of spaces to support different preferences and working styles. Here are a few examples of how that can be done.
Quiet zones
Noise is one of the most frequently cited barriers to inclusivity, making it crucial for workspaces to provide areas where employees can escape the hustle and bustle.This is particularly important in open-plan offices, where the collective noise of everyone working, collaborating, socialising or taking calls can be difficult to avoid.
See ASMPT SMT Solutions’ office as an example. The layout revolves around a neighbourhood concept. Rather than fixed desks, staff have the choice of designated areas. This includes collaboration spaces, meeting rooms and quiet zones designed to promote both interaction and individual focus.
Collaborative spaces
It’s important that teams have spaces to collaborate when required. Even in open-plan offices, this isn’t a given – people might not have the space to break out into smaller groups to discuss ideas.
At Moorhouse’s office, for instance, employees have a choice of four zones – Work, Meet, Flex and Grow. Away from the quiet, hot-desking Work zone, there’s meeting rooms in the Meet zone, breakout space in the Flex zone and an agile touchdown station in the Grow zone. In short, there’s no shortage of collaborative space for projects big and small.
Sensory-friendly areas
With all the noise, lights and moving around, overstimulation is a common issue at work – especially for neurodivergent employees. Sensory-friendly adjustments help to accommodate people suffering from sensory overload.
This could be something as simple as providing headphones in meeting rooms. Or you can go the whole hog with soundproofed areas with adjustable lighting controls. Legal & General’s offices in London and Hove feature dedicated wellness rooms and quiet zones with customisable lighting.
Phone booths
It’s also worth noting the prevalence of phone calls and video calls in modern workspaces. With hybrid teams spread across multiple locations, these calls have become a regular feature of the working day. But even with the improvements in call quality, it’s not quite the same as having someone there in person.
Video and audio calls can be hard to hear and focus on when you’re surrounded by a busy office. At the same time, people often speak louder on calls than they would in person, creating distractions for people in their vicinity.
Dedicated phone booths are a win-win, providing a purpose-built space for all kinds of calls. These spaces are private and sound-proofed without the need for employees to take up a whole meeting room for a call. Trayport’s office offers a choice of phone booths and two-person Zoom alongside meeting suites and touchdown workspaces, so there’s a space for every interaction.
Don’t forget ergonomics
Flexibility isn’t just about space. It also applies to the furniture people use. Ergonomics is an important consideration in any office, which has a significant impact on employee wellbeing.
Offices should be equipped with high-quality chairs and desks to avoid problems with poor posture. But remember that one size doesn’t fit everyone. It’s important to have adjustable equipment or a choice of furniture, so people can choose what’s comfortable for them.
This will also allow your teams to move around throughout the day. Sitting in the same position for too long is one of the top causes of back pain and hip problems. At c2c’s office, staff have sit-stand desks to avoid this issue, along with ergonomic task chairs to support better posture.
Inclusive offices make people feel valued, considered and included – resulting in better productivity, morale and staff retention. When it comes to workplace inclusivity, flexibility is the number one priority for workers. Aside from their work-life balance, this refers to the adaptability of workspaces and the choices available to employees.
To create a flexible, inclusive workplace, you should include a range of settings such as quiet zones, collaborative spaces and phone booths – with sensory conditions and ergonomics considered too. Above all else, consider the working styles and preferences of your teams and seek their feedback whenever possible.