73% think companies should embrace flexible working policies post COVID-19

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During the pandemic, productivity remains strong and team collaboration has reached new heights through better leveraging of remote technology, according to a recent research. 

Three quarters of respondents agree or strongly agree that they are collaborating effectively with colleagues in the current environment – up 10% from the pre-COVID-19 period – and 73% think companies should embrace flexible working policies.

"It's imperative to recognise that the workplace will no longer be a single location, but an ecosystem of a variety of locations and experiences to support convenience, functionality and employee wellbeing," said Brett White, CEO of global real estate firm, Cushman & Wakefield.

"That said, we expect current real estate footprint sizes to remain steady. Flexible working practices may result in fewer people in the office at any one time, but that space-saving is offset by the need to accommodate social distancing in the office."

Remote working may be here to stay, but results also show human connection and social bonding are suffering, negatively impacting corporate culture and learning. Slightly more than half of respondents feel connected to their colleagues in the work-from-home environment.

Carol Wong, Director of Workplace Delivery, Asia Pacific added, "The results for APAC are similar to the rest of the world in that employees in this region are also finding themselves to be as equally or more productive when working from home. However, given the cultural diversity in Asia Pacific, it is important for organisations to take a 'glocal' approach (appropriately apply global trends locally) in designing the future of their workplaces. Individual cultural nuances as well as employees' readiness for change have to be considered in order to maintain or enhance employees' experience and engagement levels." 

"Flexibility is accelerating in China," said Jonathan Wei, head of occupier services, China at Cushman & Wakefield.

"By adopting a data-driven, evidence-based approach companies can develop innovative strategies that support a combination of office-based and remote working to leverage success and manage challenges."

Cushman & Wakefield recently analysed responses from more than 40,000 people in a survey conducted on work-from-home experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.