Reimagining “The Office”: Cue Agile Working

By Nataly Hermanus, Front of House at Neighbourgood

The 1st of March 2021 marked the start of Lockdown Level 1 and relaxed restrictions in South Africa. For many, that signaled a call back to the office. As many of our national workforce have transitioned into our new normal, much like the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, employers have been compelled to re-assess, adapt and embrace a new reality in the workplace.

A year since being propelled into embracing every aspect of modern technology in order to continue operation, and fuel our Work From Home lifestyle, employers have taken notice, evaluated the standard practice of presenteeism, and have re-imagined ‘the office’ in a different way - cue Agile Working.

Not only are we adjusting to a post-lockdown world, and re-entering the workplace armed with elbow-greets, hyper-focused on maintaining Workplace Health & Safety Standards, but employers are now allowing staff the agency to decide where, when and how work is being done.

While not yet popular within our borders, our international community has started to leverage this competitive edge. The move from being less location-specific during Work from Home orders, to being less location, time and mode-specific, has largely been influenced by the furloughing of staff as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. As staff sizes decreased, and work was being conducted in smaller teams working at different times, the need for permanent office space was eliminated.

Coworking office spaces are quickly bridging that gap, providing employers with a flexible, cost-effective and readily-equipped office space. The informal office settings cultivate a sense of community while the amenities offered, curated wellness practices and social activities promote employee work-life balance, which correlates with increased productivity.

Championing a sense of trust and work ownership among employees, agile working also benefits employers in terms of increased employee satisfaction, staff diversity and retention rates. Having learnt the importance of remaining agile in order to meet not only the demands of modern society, but the curves life throws at us, Agile Working is cementing its place in the future.