How occupancy data will shape the future of work

Take a look at the significant role space occupancy data plays in restructuring office space as companies gear up for the return to work.

 

The workplace is stepping into another lifecycle of its evolution with the onset of the COVID19 pandemic and companies are forced to re-evaluate their use of space, yet again. Real estate strategies will have to answer whether to expand or downsize offices and figure out exactly how many people can safely share a room for collaborative work. 

 

Space occupancy data is stepping in to guide decision makers in finding out what works best for their tasks and teams as they venture into uncharted territory.

 

While facilities management studies have been closely examining the different uses of office space, hybrid working has become indispensable in the past year. There are no certain predictions on what a post pandemic working environment will look like, but studies after studies demonstrate that the hybrid work environment is here to stay.  Adjusting to this is tantamount to the success of a business. 

 

Prior to the advent of space occupancy data, employers relied on one time surveys to assess the workplace and its usage. Today, real time analytics offer accurate data of who is doing what and where it is happening in the office as it happens. 

 

With the return to work imminent and stringent safety protocols to meet, employers will need the right data to re-design the return to work in a post pandemic era.

 

The future of the workplace will need to support the needs of employees if they are to thrive in this new setting. Mapping out the office space to accommodate this can flip the current high dissatisfaction of employees with office spaces, better their focus and productivity. 

 

Using space occupancy sensors is the first step on this route. Space occupancy data automatically generates the reports on utilisation rates, person to desk ratios, and on and off peaks of office space usage to make this possible. 

 

Companies can use this to see how their teams work best and adjust accordingly

 

Work spaces are required to maintain a rigid safety protocol and ensure that employees are safe as they work. Sanitising office spaces for use by employees requires accurate data. Providing analytics on room occupation can achieve this while enabling easier tracking and testing in the case of an outbreak in the office. 

 

While health protocols are evolving on a day to day basis, relying on workspace occupancy data can support facilities managers and companies to make these decisions on the go. 

 

Employers should make these health considerations and use this available technology to guide them in ensuring safe working spaces for the return to work.

 

Health regulations also bring up questions of whether a company should downsize or increase space in their office for the return to work. This dovetails with costs to maintenance, heating and cleaning costs.

 

The difference in effective utilisation of space is in the billions and space occupancy data can support sustainability through the proper use of space and the energy consumed to run it.

 

Facilities managers and companies can save resources through tapping in the space occupancy data of their buildings. 

 

The traditional office space provided ample opportunity for impromptu meetings and behind the scenes mentorships. With employees working in shifts, and remotely, organic collaboration needs a helping hand. 

 

Water cooler conversations might have taken a dive, but technology can aid companies to observe and encourage collaborative work by following patterns picked by space occupancy sensors. 

 

Employers that take advantage of booking engines to arrange meetings and work days at the office based on space occupancy data can design a workspace where these serendipitous situations can arise.

 

• A workplace strategy crafted for the near future will realise the role of the traditional office setting and incorporate the best parts in this hybrid work environment.
• Companies should jump on the available technology and leverage specific space occupancy data to smoothen this transition and acclimate to trends that are here to stay.
• Incorporate booking engines to follow health guidelines, efficiently use your office space, and innovate collaboration among colleagues.

Whether you need help with workplace analytics, consultation on your strategy or guidance on your workplace plans, we're here to help. Call us on +44 (0)20 3868 4376 or