A recent report by JLL, a real estate company, highlights that a significant number of global employees who have been working from home due to the pandemic miss the experience of stepping into their offices. The Asia Pacific report, titled “Home and Away: The new hybrid workplace?”, reveals that 82% of surveyed office employees in India miss their workplaces primarily due to the lack of personal interaction. The survey also indicates that the pandemic has shifted 66% of surveyed employees in India to work from home arrangements.
Ramesh Nair, CEO and country head (India) at JLL, emphasized that while employees in India have successfully adapted to remote work, there is a growing desire for the cultural and human experience offered by office environments. He noted that the office is likely to remain a crucial aspect of work, but the increasing acceptance of remote work will necessitate a new workplace model for many corporations in the region.
The report, based on a survey of 1,500 employees at major corporations in five Asia Pacific markets, reveals that the eagerness of India-based professionals to return to the office surpasses the regional average of 61%. However, both in India and across the Asia Pacific, employees express a preference for a hybrid model that combines flexible work arrangements in the future.
On a regional level, the report highlights that 81% of millennials feel technologically ready, with 52% reporting increased productivity while working from home. However, some face challenges, as not everyone can afford accommodation with the necessary space and amenities for successful remote work.
In terms of confidence in their company’s future, India stands out, with 86% of employees expressing confidence compared to 65% for the Asia Pacific region. The report suggests that employers have a responsibility to foster optimism and enhance human performance and productivity, whether their teams are working from home or in the office.
Key considerations for employers looking to explore a hybrid model include the understanding that office space is here to stay. Higher acceptance of remote work will lead to a more distributed and diverse workforce, but challenges in productivity and efficiency may arise. Offices will be reimagined as social hubs, serving as a cultural center and social hub for employees to connect on common goals, purpose, and vision. The future footprint will facilitate choices and flexibility, with a need for corporations to redefine their real estate footprint by leveraging distributed and liquid spaces, including home offices, co-working spaces, satellite offices, and the central headquarters, leading to a truly hybrid office model.
Dr. Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research & REIS, India, JLL, predicts that offices will continue to play a central role in defining company culture and meeting employee needs for personal and professional fulfillment. However, the impact of COVID-19 will reshape the look and feel of offices as hybrid models with flexible work arrangements become mainstream.
