Agile working and flexible working are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different styles of working patterns. Agile working is more focused on working in short bursts of activity and then taking breaks, while flexible working is more about being able to adjust your work schedule to suit your start and finish times.
Agility in the workplace can be defined by the ways of working that support it, such as agile working, flexible working, or hybrid working. These models have many similarities, including the terminology used to describe them. To simplify, these three working models can be thought of as the how, when, and where.
How we work is changing - core and flex working models, activity-based working, different types of furniture, zoning, and principles are enabling us to work more agilely.
Flexible working is mostly about adjusting working hours to achieve a better work/life balance, such as working from home.
Hybrid working is the place employees work – hybrid working is simply the blend of remote and office-based work.
What is hybrid working?
Hybrid working is a mix of office and remote work. The typical week is split 3 days in office, 2 days remote, but this varies per business. The goal of hybrid working is to give employees more flexibility and control over their work schedule. This means people will spend less time in the office, causing the office to change and support a more transient workforce.
What does hybrid workspace look like?
A hybrid office is one that is occupied by staff on a day-to-day basis, with the layout and furniture reflecting this. Fixed desk positions are still available, but these are typically hot-desks that are only bookable through a desk-booking system. A variety of spaces such as touch down points, shared open areas, and quiet areas that support video calling are prioritised, as they are best suited to a transient workforce. Although head counts will change so often, it is still vital to be able to connect with colleagues, clients who work remotely and those whom we are job sharing with.
What is flexible working?
Flexible working generally refers to arrangements between employer and employee regarding hours, but can also mean accommodating employees with different needs, such as remote working or childcare responsibilities. This overlap with hybrid working models, which balance remote and office-based working, is why definitions of flexible working are often fluid.
What does flexible workspace look like?
An office space with different working areas, from desks to private phone booths and meeting rooms for digital meetings, lets teams be creative and collaborative when together.
Flexible working is about allowing employees to personalise their working hours to their working styles, which results in increased engagement, improved employee moral, and increased productivity for your company.
What is agile working?
Businesses that adopt an agile working approach are designed to foster and foster a flexible work environment and a daily working environment, as well as flexible working hours. Agile working is aimed at tearing down traditional barriers between employees and their preferred ways of working, allowing employees to function at their highest and most effective level.
Agile companies are able to adapt quickly to change, agile workplaces maximise the flexibility of your office floor plan, as well as providing the opportunity for space rationalisation and providing agile working methods.
What does agile workspace look like?
Agile workspaces are designed to be easily customisable and to include a variety of different types of workspaces, including breakout areas, amenity spaces, and collaboration space. They are also designed to support multiple working styles and to optimise employee wellbeing and productivity.
Agile working solutions aim to create a dynamic, efficient work environment where employees are alert and engaged.
Flexible working refers to flexibility around working hours, while agile working goes beyond that to remove traditional boundaries between staff and their goals, making the business more adaptable and efficient.
If you require further information on the different types of working models and would like some input from the team at Spaces Taylored then get in touch today.
Spaces Taylored offer free design and space planning as part of our office fit out service and offer an extremely diverse range of office furniture as well as a move management and workplace relocation service. Contact us today if there is anything you require our help with. Call us on 0843 122 9545 or drop us an email at info@spacestaylored.com to find out how we can transform your current working environment into an inspirational place that you’ll love to spend time in. Be proud of your office space with the help of Spaces Taylored.
Web - www.spacestaylored.com
Email - info@spacestaylored.com
Call - 0843 122 9545
Kommentarer