.W O R L D
Broaden flexible working horizons — join the club! CONAL O’HARA — himself COO of a London club — argues in favour of dens offering more than just prestige THERE is a new style of flexible working space entering the market: business clubs. The narrative is shifting from tech start-ups and the gig economy as more mature businesses are looking to embrace flexibility whilst maintaining confidentiality, discretion and the gravitas of an established city postcode. Totaljobs recently found that 84 percent of employees would consider turning down a job offer that didn’t offer flexible working. Employees with a sense of ownership over their working day are likely to be more engaged and more motivated. Businesses recognise this, and are starting to view flexibility as a business opportunity that can
18
Professionals can choose a suitable workspace increase productivity and attract and retain talent. Professionals can choose a suitable workspace, with access to lounges, meeting rooms and “hot-desks” at various locations. Spaces near transport hubs mean workers on the move can drop into any location between meetings, cutting travel time. Clubs also provide IT support,
in-house office maintenance and concierge services. Breakout areas and business lounges let employees select an environment likely to produce optimum results. In increasingly competitive markets, offices can be leveraged in the war for talent. Flexible working and desirable environments are key elements of a job offer. That research by Totaljobs shows 75 percent of employers believe flexible working boosts retention rates. While employees still require traditional incentives, they increasingly look to workplaces for inspiration and motivation. Networking gets a boost,
