Back to the office: listening to teams on the way to flexible use in sustainable spaces

Back to the office: listening to teams on the way to flexible use in sustainable spaces

It is well known that a crisis generates opportunity. That is why many companies have taken advantage of the period of full virtuality to resignify the work spaces of traditional offices. A new approach, placing the person at the center of the observation and integrating it into a perspective of sustainability, can be an innovative and effective formula to propose a new way of managing the workplace.

Based on surveys and opinion studies of our collaborators, we have advanced to achieve fully remodeled offices. They reflect an innovative concept of work, much more collaborative, integrated, with accessibility.

Today our company has an open and horizontal concept. Not even the CEO has his own office. Even the old boxes have disappeared. The offices become open spaces with capacity for 30-35% of the workforce, while the leaders do not have any fixed space.

We have defined the hybrid work strategy: we don’t need so much space, but we do need open spaces and meeting rooms, in sync with what our teams want and the company’s global policy.

As we have a more limited space, there is a place reservation platform. The idea is to attend when necessary. It’s about flexibility within flexibility. Each one may agree with the leader of their sector, under the slogan of meeting the objectives. Employees can work every day from home. Our philosophy: come to the office with a purpose.

Companies must accept the challenge of listening to our teams. In this way we can achieve the virtuous circle and go from story telling to story doing, so that collaborators feel part of and can share the purpose of the organization.

Another big change is that, when looking for talent, we no longer stick with applicants who live near the headquarters. Now, if the role allows it, a person residing in any province can apply. This expands the possibilities of searches which is possible thanks to the support of the leaders who adapted to the flexibility that the company needs.

As leaders we have a great challenge: to focus on specific skills, which have more to do with reaching people, finding ways to get closer, creating meeting spaces and being very clear about what we expect from each one, in terms of their role. and to specific objectives.

We must achieve the balance between being present, but respecting the times of each one. Provide flexibility, but specify the objectives in a timely manner, strengthen teams when not all of us are present sharing a physical space always.

We are being protagonists of a new world of work, where not only the way, but also the concept of work has changed. And that is why we must incorporate criteria in the spaces that focus on diversity, flexibility and sustainability.

Being a “totally inclusive” company is part of our aspirations, and on this path we are rethinking benefits, the way we communicate and the processes so that no one is left out.

Co-create together how we want to work, to enhance the role of each person and also that of each organization.

HR and Sustainability Manager, Prudential Seguros.

Source: Ambito

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