New generations emerge leading the change to flexible workspaces

The study’s conclusions are drawn on the observation that Avila Spaces made regarding the workspaces market, in Portugal, the consumer behaviour, as well as, the Barometer results concerning the new work models - this initiative was carried out by the I&D Department of Avila Spaces in 2017.

 

For Teresa Jacinto, Director of this Department, the conclusions are quite clear: «In 2018, companies will continue to focus on flexible work models, not only as a matter of rationalization of costs, but also because the new generations prefer to work in a more relaxed and collaborative environment and with a great sense of freedom.

 

At the basis of this conclusion is, for example, the fact that companies are increasingly investing in "hot desking” for 2018, one of the evidences derived from Avila’s Barometer. «This means that desks are not exclusive to each professional. Anyone can choose a free desk in the workspace and get to work», explains Teresa Jacinto.

 

The enquiry also indicated that there is a growing demand for labour flexibility with the younger generations leading this paradigm shift. 'We have realized that there is a group of people driven by goals, rejecting the working hours from 9am to 6pm and able to work from a company, from home, from a terrace, but also from a coworking venue. 

 

To back up these statements, Avila concluded that 59.1% of those questioned, in the barometer, assumed they have already used the following work models: Virtual Office, Coworking or Teleworking. Out of these three trends, ‘Teleworking’ was the most significant with 45%, 'Coworking' was next with 28.4% and 'Virtual office' was the preference of 26.6%. 

In relation to the upcoming year, 82,1% of those surveyed gave clear answers in the Avila’s Trends Barometer and guarantees that, in 2018, they want to use at least one of these work models. 

 

The three work models are also about ensuring that clients have a ‘Greater balance between professional and personal life’. This was how 51.5% of the professionals surveyed had answered when asked about the option which had led them to choose one of these ways of working. Secondly (45.5%), was the 'Reduction of building charges’ and finally (44.8%) was 'More mobility'. This question in Avila’s barometer was a multiple-answer type and all the participants were able to answer in order of preference.

 

«The feedback provided by our barometer shows that companies increasingly invest in the welfare of professionals. Both Millennial workforce and Generation Z (the new generations) besides valuing the balance between personal and professional life, they also prefer to work in companies which promote different activities in the workplace, like sports practice, yoga classes and a combination of relaxation and meditation», explains Teresa Jacinto.

 

One other conclusion is in line with the strong investment that Avila Spaces has made in its Office Centre: provide more collaborative workspaces for its clients where elements of leisure and relaxation can be found and without ever compromising privacy. For Teresa Jacinto, «There is a growing concern for the professionals’ privacy. The best practices point to the cohabitation of various models: open-space, reserved rooms, phone-booths and recreational areas for short breaks during work».

 

The new Avila Spaces was created in 2017 and perfectly reflects these new tendencies forecasted, by the Workspaces Trends Barometer, for 2018. Besides having an area with individual workspaces, both the Coworking and the Business Lounge are the ultimate expression of its current signature: 'Work. Relax. Enjoy '. This is the cornerstone that unites the brand and a concept whereby all the clients can benefit from this new space: work, relax, enjoy it and make the most of the services provided (including a lounge area where it is possible to take a break, and a coffee corner where they can get a cup of coffee or a cup of tea for free).

Carlos Gonçalves, CEO of Avila Spaces, points out that «this is how professionals face the workspace nowadays: a place where they can work as comfortable and relaxed as possible, where they can relax in lounge areas and even have fun in networking events or parties», and he adds that: «this approach also reflects the emphasis that professionals currently attach to the balance between personal and professional life».