Creating Workplaces that Rival Home Comfort
Plus, what Eric Schmidt got wrong about innovation and flexible work
👋 Happy Tuesday! With another Labor Day behind us, will this be the year we see a significant shift in return-to-office trends? While September typically experiences a seasonal increase in office attendance, some sectors face increased pressure for in-person work.
In this week’s edition:
💡Landlords Reimagining Workspaces
💻 Top 5 Most Flexible Industries
🏠 Challenging Eric Schmidt’s View on Remote Work
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THIS WEEK’S FLEX FOCUS 🔍
The Office Comeback: How Landlords Hold the Key
In the post-pandemic work landscape, landlords have a new challenge: making offices more appealing than working from home.
Forward-thinking landlords are rising to the occasion, transforming traditional workspaces into dynamic environments that rival home comforts. The winning formula? Ergonomic design, personalized spaces, enticing amenities, flexible, short-term leases, and adaptable "spec suites."
The bottom line: the office isn't obsolete; it's evolving. And landlords have a golden opportunity to lead this transformation. Fostering environments that combine home comforts with collaborative energy can help end the work-from-home debate and usher in a new era of productive, engaging workspaces.
FLEX WORK QUICK HITS 💥
Stay ahead of the curve with our curated roundup of the trending flexible work stories making waves right now. Here's what you need to know 👇
CNBC: Remote work has tripled since pre-pandemic levels, with 25-30% of workdays now done from home, as employees and employers find value in the arrangement despite corporate challenges.
City Wire: Fidelity's new policy doubles office time for hybrid workers, highlighting tensions between corporate goals and employee flexibility in the evolving workplace landscape.
Axios Boston: Boston's office occupancy surge reflects a national trend towards pre-pandemic levels, but uneven recovery and real estate challenges signal a complex transition in the modern workplace.
Property Update: A new study by International Workplace Group reveals that 74% of working parents would switch jobs over 5-day office requirements.
STAT OF THE WEEK 📈
Financial Services Falls out of the Top Five Most Flexible Industries
Tech and Telecommunications take two of the top three industry spots for the highest percentage of firms offering work location flexibility. Professional Services replaces Financial Services in the top five list.
FLEXPERT INSIGHTS 🧠
Why Eric Schmidt Got It Wrong About Innovation and Flexible Work
In his latest Future Work newsletter, Daan van Rossum discusses Eric Schmidt's controversial stance on remote work and innovation. Daan challenges office presence as being crucial for breakthroughs, especially in AI.
He makes a compelling case for hybrid and remote work models from real-world examples and data. Daan argues that flexibility, far from hindering innovation, actually fuels it by attracting diverse talent and boosting employee well-being.
This article is more than just a rebuttal; it's a roadmap for leaders navigating the future of work. Daan offers practical insights on fostering innovation in distributed teams and makes a strong case for embracing the hybrid work model in our rapidly evolving business landscape.
FLEX PERSPECTIVES 🎙️
ICYMI: Preparing HR Teams for the AI Revolution | Kevin Delaney and Massella Dukuly
In this throwback Flex Perspectives episode, Rob Sadow is joined by Kevin Delaney, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Charter, and Massella Dukuly, Head of Workplace Strategy & Innovation. During the episode, Kevin and Massella dove into AI and the role of the HR executive, including:
How to thoughtfully introduce and discuss AI with your employee base
Actionable recommendations for leading your organization through its AI transition and how to measure success effectively
Also available on Apple Podcasts.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT ⭐️
CSL Behring, a global biotechnology leader, is dedicated to treating and preventing severe human medical conditions by developing and delivering innovative biotherapies to treat people with life-threatening medical conditions. Established in 1916, the company is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, and operates in over 30 countries, including Australia, Germany, and Switzerland.
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