Current trend decline in Home Office and importance of Third Workspaces
In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed working life. Working from home has become the norm, but a counter-trend is now emerging: many companies are once again restricting the option of working from home. But what are the reasons behind this trend reversal? Find out here whether working from home is here to stay, what role so-called third workspaces play and how you can argue for them as an alternative between working from home and the office with your employer.
Changes in the labour market
In the initial phase of the pandemic, working from home quickly became the standard solution to ensure employee safety and maintain business operations. The flexibility of working from home was seen as a great advantage by many employees. However, many companies, such as SAP, Telekom and Deutsche Bank, are now backtracking and increasingly encouraging their employees to return to the office with the so-called ‘return to office’ trend. Some companies are even setting fixed targets: Employees should be present in the office at least three or four days a week.
A comparison with the pre-coronavirus level shows the extent to which working from home has become established: in 2019, only 12.8 per cent of the workforce worked from home. Today, the proportion of employees who work from home temporarily remains unchanged from 2023 at 23.5 per cent. What is particularly striking, however, is that the proportion of those who regularly work from home has risen slightly - from 39% in 2023 to 44% today, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office.
Will home office remain?
Although the obligation to be present is increasing in many companies, it is unlikely that any company will completely abolish the home office. Even the CEOs surveyed in the KPMG study from 2023 will have to recognise this sooner or later. After all, it is clear that if you want to find and retain skilled workers today, you have to offer flexible working time models. The use of working from home also depends heavily on the size of the company. In smaller companies (up to 49 employees), 13.1% of employees work from home, while in large companies with at least 250 employees, the proportion of employees working from home is highest at 33.8 per cent. Working from home remains particularly widespread in IT professions, with almost 75% of employees working predominantly from home. Overall, there is no clear trend towards people working less from home. Although the proportion has been slowly decreasing since the peak during the coronavirus crisis in 2020, employees are still spending significantly more time working from home than before the pandemic.
Reasons for the decline in the home office trend
The decision to reduce the proportion of employees working from home is primarily driven by the interests of employers. The main reasons for the decline in the home office trend are
Productivity and control
Some companies have concerns about the productivity of their employees working from home. They want to take more control over work processes and results back into their own hands. Companies believe that by returning to the office, better monitoring and support of work processes is possible, which can lead to an increase in efficiency and quality.
Collaboration and creativity
The personal interaction and spontaneous collaboration that occurs in an office environment is often difficult to replace digitally. Companies fear that innovation and team spirit could suffer. The direct contact and unplanned conversations that take place in the office often contribute significantly to the emergence of new ideas and problem-solving, which is more difficult to achieve in virtual meetings.
Corporate culture and loyalty
Physical presence in the office is often seen as important for strengthening the corporate culture and promoting employee loyalty to the company. Through regular presence, employees can be better integrated into the corporate culture and develop a stronger emotional bond with the company, which can promote employee loyalty and commitment in the long term.
The role of third workspaces
While returning to the office is a priority for many companies, there is a growing number of employees who do not want to give up working from home completely, but also recognise the disadvantages of working from home. This is where so-called third workspaces come into play - work locations outside of the home and the traditional office, such as coworking spaces, outsourced individual offices, business lounges or cafés. On ShareYourSpace, companies can find a diverse selection of bookable third workspaces that can serve as a flexible addition to the traditional company office and home office. As an employer, this allows companies to focus more on modern working models, sustainability and climate protection, as well as securing a clear advantage in the competition for talent.
Advantages of third workspaces compared to working from home:
1. Clear separation of work and private life
Working from home often blurs the boundaries between work and leisure, as work and home are often combined in a single space. This can lead to a blurring of roles and increase the risk of work encroaching on private life. Third workspaces, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to maintain a clear separation between professional and private activities.
2. Productive working environment
Third Workspaces offer a professional atmosphere with the necessary infrastructure to work in a focussed and efficient manner. For example, the workspaces are equipped with ergonomic furniture, high-performance technology and fast internet. This professional equipment and environment ensures a productive workplace and minimises distractions that can often occur in the home office, such as household tasks, family members or other personal commitments.
3. Networking and collaboration options
Third workspaces, especially coworking spaces, attract professionals from different industries and fields, creating a dynamic and inspiring work environment. These places promote the exchange of ideas and collaboration across industry boundaries. For the self-employed and freelancers, they offer valuable opportunities to network and develop new business opportunities. Employees also benefit from the opportunity to exchange ideas with other professionals and gain fresh perspectives.
4. Flexibility and mobility
Third workspaces allow employees to work in different locations, which is particularly beneficial for those who need to travel frequently or use multiple work locations. By using Third Workspaces, they can adapt their working environment as required and organise their working day more efficiently without having to commit to a fixed office location. This not only supports the adaptability of employees, but also optimises the way they work.
Tips for convincing the employer of Third Workspaces
Not every company is immediately enthusiastic about the idea of third workspaces. Here are some strategies for convincing your employer of the benefits:
1. Demonstrate clear benefits
Explain how a third workspace can increase your productivity and satisfaction. Emphasise that this way of working is a win-win situation: You benefit from a productive environment and the company gets better work results. Also emphasise how this way of working can increase your motivation and efficiency, leading to better overall results for the company.
2. Propose a pilot project
Suggest testing the concept of a third workspace on a limited scale first. A pilot project can concretely show your employer that this way of working actually brings benefits. This approach gives your employer the opportunity to evaluate the results and added value without too much risk before a more comprehensive decision is made.
3. Carry out a cost-benefit analysis
Create a detailed calculation that shows that Third Workspaces may be more cost-effective than a permanent home office setup or running a large office. Include potential savings from reduced office capacity and lower operating costs. Third Workspaces provide the opportunity to work flexibly in different locations, which opens up access to a larger talent pool and can reduce acquisition costs. Companies can also find employees in regions with lower salary levels, which makes the investment in Third Workspaces economically attractive.
4. Emphasise flexibility
Emphasise that Third Workspaces offer you the flexibility to choose your work location as needed, without the company having to relinquish a certain amount of control. This allows you to flexibly adapt your work location to your tasks and requirements while remaining tied to the company culture. This shows that you are able to optimise your way of working to suit the needs of the company.
Conclusion
Although there is no clear decline in the home office trend, more and more people are returning to the office, both voluntarily and employer-initiated. This change reflects the current challenges that companies are facing. Nevertheless, this does not mean the end of flexible working models. Third workspaces offer an attractive alternative to the traditional office and home office that offers benefits for both employees and employers. With the right argumentation and a well thought-out approach, you can convince your employer of the advantages of this new way of working and thus combine the best aspects.