_The case for hybrid work

Are you really working if you're not in the office?

That is the likely argument of organisations that frown on flexi work arrangements. With the recent announcement of the Government mandate that companies in Singapore must fairly consider employees’ requests for flexible work arrangements from December 2024, we polled opinions on LinkedIn to get a sense of thoughts on the ground. Here are the results.

Based on the results, a high percentage of respondents did not feel their companies would support their requests. Almost five years after the pandemic that saw home-based work being the norm, it seems the jury is still out. The push and pull factors are not new, ranging from "reinforcing company culture" and "potential productivity dips" to "lifestyle flexibility" and "better job satisfaction".

And workplace policies islandwide look set to be redrawn, so would workplace design strategies.

In her article Watch where you work: How workplace design can bring people back to the office, Business Times Weekend journalist Corinne Kerk says some employers see potential for increased productivity and employee satisfaction, while others fear an erosion of workplace culture and impediments to meeting business objectives — adding to the conversation around workplace design and how that continues to evolve.  

She writes: "With the formalisation of the new guidelines, organisations will be compelled to develop a structured approach to remote work that goes beyond ad hoc arrangements to truly integrated strategies, says Roohid Novinrooz, head of workplace consulting, occupier strategy and solutions at Knight Frank Singapore.

"This shift, he says, isn’t just about where and how work is done, but also ensuring that the essence of the office is retained and its benefits replicated in a distributed work model. This will maintain continuity, culture and engagement.“This change serves as an impetus for companies to reconsider their spatial needs,” he says, noting that workplace design has to become more intentional and structured. “Workplaces will need to be reimagined to support remote work without diminishing the value of the physical office.”

"This could include designing spaces that are adaptable to various work modes and investing in technology that ensures a seamless transition between remote and in-office work, reinforcing the connection between employees, wherever they are.

"After all, clients are increasingly viewing workplaces as dynamic ecosystems that can enhance business performance and, indeed, as strategic assets, says Novinrooz."

Will there be a revival of workplace design? Will employees be able to stop resisting 5-day work weeks in the office? And will employers find that win-win situation in their work policies? Stay tuned.