Gurmohan Singh is the Director at Artizen Interiors Private Limited and comes with an experience of over two decades. From managing primary details to most effective decision making, high-level compliance study and functions for alignment of objectives to business and legal strategies, he is the one source of all vital business requirements. His constant aim has been to make diversity and inclusion the natural fabric of the brand, and he plays a crucial role in fostering a people-first approach and talent management at Artizen.
How does the hybrid work model balance employees’ need for flexibility and face-to-face interaction? Why is it essential for professional growth?
Post the disruptions brought on by the pandemic, the workforce dynamic has undergone a significant change. With some normalcy returning, employers are setting up organizational structures differently, requiring permanent changes in human resources (HR) and infrastructure requirements. Cutting-edge HR technology has enabled organizations to empower workers to feel more engaged remotely, creating tailored communications for different employee groups and offering fantastic hybrid experiences irrespective of where they work. As a part of the infrastructural restructuring, some companies are implementing virtual desktop set-ups within their data centres as part of their transition process.
With the advent of hybrid workplaces, companies are integrating remote and in-office working, providing people with a healthy balance between flexibility and connections essential for professional growth. Others have collaborated with desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) software vendors to develop a cloud-based system that is more secure. Employee benefit programs have also been redesigned to ensure they are “location-agnostic” so that organizations can offer high-quality perks wherever they are located. This has resulted in a successful hybrid work system that promotes individuality, versatility, and efficiency.
How do new workplace design innovations fit into the hybrid work model as the new norm?
Following the pandemic, many businesses had to develop innovative solutions to ensure workplace safety while also upholding company culture, generating high levels of effective employee productivity, and encouraging a much-needed semblance of employee well-being. The hybrid working model has undoubtedly propelled many offices to adopt various workspace design trends, which are as follows:
Smart workspaces:
The emergence of a hybrid work environment has sparked a shift toward greater use of cutting-edge technology in the workplace. Increasingly, organizations are developing smart workspaces more frequently to support various forms of virtual collaboration and enable employees to stay connected at all times. These workspaces feature power and data integration, flexible workstations with flexible furniture, for example, ergonomic chairs or adjustable tables, breakout zones, and AV meeting and training rooms. Thermal imaging systems, sensor lights, touchless doors, automated fixtures, and facial or voice recognition in the hybrid office space have become essential for health and safety. Offices made with smart technology enable workspace reservations, track air quality, natural light levels, and space utilization, and share that data to improve how spaces are used. These futuristic workspaces have come into actual existence, with almost every organization resting upon more and more technical assistance to ensure a complete experience among its employees.
Sustainable workspaces:
As sustainability has become increasingly important, creating sustainable workplaces is becoming essential in 2022 and as we advance. Businesses are embracing sustainable factors and implementing them in their office designs to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen its impact on climate change. There are several ways in which workspace design can have a positive, sustainable impact, such as recycling furniture, procuring materials with high recycled content, and maximizing natural light to reduce energy consumption. Implementing data-driven changes to increase sustainability and energy efficiency will be simpler when combined with cutting-edge technologies that track building and space usage.
Biophilic elements in the workspaces:
In recent years, biophilic design principles have gained prominence as the associated benefits, such as reducing employee stress levels and absenteeism, have become increasingly evident. Organizations are increasingly incorporating biophilic elements in the hybrid era of work to foster a progressive office environment resulting in mindfulness, workplace wellbeing and staff retention. The various biophilic aspects that companies incorporate in their office space include access to natural light and views of the outside, natural features like wood and stone, incorporating greenery through living walls or planters and embracing different pops of colour.
Hybrid era workplace layout:
Employers are designing workplaces that empower staff and accommodate all work styles. The new hybrid-era workplace layout encourages concentration, collaboration, reflection, mindfulness, and well-being. Progressive workspaces have incorporated collaboration spaces or hubs for teamwork or to connect, which have trendy furniture styles and are designed to be interacted with using smart technology such as interactive whiteboards, writable walls and touchscreens to engage virtual participants. Office pods or work booths provide quiet spaces for concentration, allowing workers to focus or indulge themselves in their work without being distracted by what is happening around them. Additionally, businesses are incorporating designated areas for rest and recharge, where workers can unwind with games, snacks, or even meditation.
How has a broader embrace of remote work and making a hybrid workforce model realistically established the hybrid life of an individual?
Organizations are implementing a hybrid workforce model as a long-term business strategy while keeping remote work as a fallback option in case the need arises. Employees are increasingly getting accustomed to hybrid work life since it empowers them with flexibility in how and where they work and promotes a healthier work-life balance. It enables them to switch between working from home and an office without experiencing a drop in productivity. Thus, companies encourage employees to work remotely or hybridize by adapting their desires and needs for flexibility to support effective leadership and promote cultural harmony.