Paul Phillips, the chief technology officer at Eptura, discusses the ongoing trend of remote work and its impact on office space demand. According to Eptura’s “2023 Workplace Index,” there are five key takeaways from this trend:
1. In-person meetings are still valued by employees as shown by an increase in visitors per location and check-ins.
2. More people are interested in face-to-face collaboration as demonstrated by a rise in average days booked in the office.
3. Mid-week remains popular for office attendance with most people coming into work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
4. Asset-dependent businesses should focus on preventative maintenance strategies rather than reactive repairs to improve efficiency.
5. Building owners can reduce CO2 emissions through better space utilization and asset management.
Phillips emphasizes that building owners need to adapt their facilities management strategies to accommodate fluctuating demand caused by hybrid work models where 30-40% of desk bookings occur last minute or day-of.
Additionally, he suggests using technology such as visitor management systems for real-time data analysis on space usage.
The report also highlights how environmental concerns (ESG) play a role in employee retention and occupancy rates.
While return-to-office mandates may have led to an increase in room bookings,
the hybrid model is here to stay so it’s important for building owners
to be prepared with adaptable workspace solutions during peak periods like midweek days,
and prioritize preventative maintenance over reactive repairs
to reduce costs while creating a more sustainable workplace environment overall.”
