As the Philippine economy gradually rebounds from the impacts of the pandemic, companies are starting to shift to a hybrid workforce model from a purely work-from-home set up to accommodate their employees and their operations. Hybrid offices are set to become part of the new normal and a viable solution for a post-pandemic working environment.
In the Philippines, office spaces are slowly starting to take over. Office spaces for rent in Metro Manila, particularly in central business districts like Makati, BGC, and Ortigas, are gradually getting in demand.
What is a Hybrid Office
A hybrid office is a flexible workplace model designed to support the workforce of both in-office and remote employees. Through the hybrid workflow, employees are given the option to work from home and come to the office during the week—grounded on the model’s flexibility and support for workers.
Compared to a traditional office setup where employees have their designated desks, hybrid offices use “hot desks” where employees do not have assigned seats and choose where they want to work when they come in.
Working from home may be convenient for some employees. Still, many Filipinos find it hard to adjust to the WFH setup given unfavorable circumstances, i.e., lack of workstation space at home, unstable internet connection, distractions at home, and lack of teamwork and community. A 2021 survey shows that 62% of Filipino employees use video conferencing apps like Microsoft Teams and Skype as primary communication with colleagues. Increased isolation from co-workers can also affect an employee’s productivity.
Benefits of Hybrid Workspace
Hybrid workspace is shaping up to be the future of the corporate world.
- Improved wellbeing– a hybrid work setup gives employees more freedom and autonomy on where and how they work. Given Metro Manila’s intense traffic, it also provides them peace of mind because they don’t have to spend so much time commuting.
- Increased productivity and mobility– the hybrid work model promises work-life balance. It allows employees to move more freely when working at home and gain more productivity while being immersed with like-minded professionals when they are at the office.
- Reduced real estate costs– companies and organizations who adopt a hybrid work model means they commit to reducing their office footprint. This also translates into saving a lot from long-term office space rental costs.
Redesigning Your Hybrid Office
A hybrid office model will provide more face-to-face meetings, better collaboration, and co-worker social activities to foster team engagement. It will also promote work-life balance as a critical element in the new normal working environment since employees could control how and where they work.
In the Philippines, many employees favor a hybrid work setup. A Microsoft survey in 2021 shows that 84% of Filipino workers want flexible remote work options, but 78% also crave face-to-face interactions with their teams.
Hybrid offices are reshaping the future of workplace arrangements and carry a lot of potential in improving your organization in many ways. However, it’s not without potential hazards. A poorly executed hybrid workforce model can set back workplace advancements and even derail productivity.
For a successful hybrid model to emerge within your company, you must take into consideration these factors:
Put employee welfare paramount
The pandemic has dramatically changed the way companies operate and how employees work. The pre-pandemic office setting is outdated, and hybrid offices are set to dominate the future of several business industries. Given the pandemic threat is still there, laying out a hybrid workforce plan that puts employees’ health and safety above all is vital. Employees’ mental health should also be equally valued when formulating a hybrid workforce model.
Sense of Belongingness
Regarding putting employee welfare, a topmost priority, gauging your employees’ interest to return to the office is a great way to start. Hand them a survey to get their thoughts, hesitations, and fears. Building trust through transparency with your team is key to a better business continuity plan.
Hold conversations regularly with your employees and assure them that the hybrid setup will provide them a sense of inclusion, comfort, and more control on where and how they work. This setup will also open more opportunities for them to learn and improve work relationships leading to increased overall satisfaction and productivity.
Strategically Plan a Layout
Consider different types of workers within your firm when planning a hybrid office plan. An open office layout sounds innovative and exciting, but one major downside is that it can be noisy, and if you have employees that take calls and talk to clients from time to time, it might not be suitable for them.
Just as how you are offering your employees the options for their working conditions, your return-to-office plan should also be fluid to meet the needs of the business and the employees. Ensure your plan is assessed by experts and abides by health regulators and government agencies.
Coworking Office Solutions for Hybrid Office
Hybrid offices are expected to be adopted more rampantly post-pandemic and M Spaces is here for your coworking space needs. If you’re looking for a good office space for rent in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, then M Spaces is the best option for you. Located at the heart of Ortigas, M Spaces offers private offices and meeting rooms. Whether you are a startup, entrepreneurs, freelancers, or you own a small-sized business, if you need a coworking space, we are all ears on your needs, and we come with low rates too. M Spaces meeting and conference rooms are also soundproof, so you don’t have to worry about noise control.
As a fully serviced shared office space, M Spaces offers high-speed Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity, office chairs, desk, and overhead shelves for storage. Essential office appliances such as printers, scanners, and photocopiers are also available for use. You can even use our business address and our biometric system for a smoother operation of your business.
M Spaces also officers business support services such as business registration, corporate compliance, bookkeeping, secretarial services, and many more. Visit M spaces or email us at info@mspacesph.com for more information about office space rates and other services.
