Hybrid work schedules are here to stay. You may no longer have a need for lots of square footage, but you probably still have some employees coming into the office on a regular basis. Many business owners and leaders are wanting to maximize how they leverage their square footage, providing everyone who is coming in with a dedicated space to work while also not keeping space that isn’t needed. 

So, where’s the middle ground between having an office for everyone or asking team members to choose a seat in an open floor plan that could change daily?  

How Reservable Offices Solve a Growing Problem

As more people adapt to a hybrid work schedule, there’s a growing problem—where on earth am I going to sit?  

Employees who work in an open-concept office with lots of shared spaces may feel stressed when finding a spot to settle down for the day. In fact, people waste an average of 19 minutes just figuring out where to sit! Reservable offices or desks present an innovative solution to this new problem. Here are Relo’s tips for how you can implement this in your organization effectively. 

Create Guidelines Requesting Space

A good option is to split your existing space into individual offices (or desks) as well as shared workspaces. Then, get to work on some guidelines for hybrid employees for how and when they can leverage those offices and desks based on when and how often they come in. 

A past Relocation Strategies client has implemented a standard stating those who work in an office three days a week get their name on the office, while those who prefer to work from home more often can reserve a cubicle or office from their phone or desktop. Depending on the specifics of your workspace, you may need additional guidelines. The key is to ensure everyone is on the same page about how to score a reservable office and to communicate in multiple ways, including a company call, in writing, and even in your employee handbook.  

Include a Variety of Seating

Not everyone works best in a cubicle setting. Consider implementing a variety of seating options, surveys show some staff only want to come in for coffee or lunch this is why the social hubs are the new rave, provide food and they will come. Incorporate spaces for employees to collaborate, but don’t forget to make room for those who need quiet time as well. Reservable offices are only one piece of the puzzle. 

Cross-Check Everything with Security

Once your space has been configured and your guidelines set, be sure to work with other departments to ensure everything is working as planned. While you don’t expect your employees to purposely cheat the system, it’s not unheard of for a team member to say they’ll come in three days a week, get a name on an office and then only come in for two. We recommend cross-referencing employees with the security department records to make sure they’re following through on their word. If not, simply open that space up to a team member who prefers working from the office. 

The Relocation Strategies Approach

At Relocation Strategies, we take a customized approach to every client. We understand that every company, department and demographic is different and requires a unique method for creating the ideal workplace. Perhaps reservable offices are your cup of tea, but maybe another solution would suit you better. When you consult with Relocation Strategies, you can count on personalized solutions that make your employees feel heard. Reimagine your workplace today.