Defining a Workforce Revolution

Look at facilities and real estate to recruit and retain talent

by Ken Krasnow, Colliers International

The disruption COVID-19 brought to the workplace accelerated trends that were emerging but are now almost certainly here to stay. Teams discovered ways to collaborate while physically apart, and workers often found a new work-life balance they are now embracing.

Given the intense competition of low unemployment and the need for skilled and diverse talent, the workplace of the future will be largely defined by employee choice. In fact, more than half of employees globally would quit their jobs if not provided postpandemic flexibility, and 70% say they want to work remotely three or more days per week.

Colliers has compiled a list of these worker preferences and offers some recommendations on how a city’s real estate and facilities can play a role in meeting them:

▸ Promote health and well-being in the workplace. Workplace designs and locations that provide healthy food options, solitude and wellness rooms, bike storage, etc., will encourage physical and mental wellness. Health and wellness programs for employees can help companies reduce sickness absences by 44%.

▸ Enable women to remain in the workforce. As women face the need to balance work and home life, one in four are still considering leaving the workforce. Cities should prioritize work locations that offer easy access to family services such as health care, day care and schools. On-site amenities such as flex spaces and quiet/family rooms help support women in the workforce.

▸ Grow a culture that more clearly reflects diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). A majority (75%) of employees think more diversity is needed in the workplace. Despite a dramatic focus on DEI since 2020, real change is incremental. Local governments can identify what these talent pools desire. They can let that information drive location, workplace design and work experience strategies.

▸ Prepare for artificial intelligence and automation. The demand for agile technology skills is four times greater than the number of qualified candidates. Cities will need to recruit recent graduates and upskill current workers to meet the need. Designing workplaces that facilitate new workflow patterns and offer technology amenities is key to attracting and retaining talent.

▸ Support distributed work models. Employees want the best of both worlds. Seventy percent want flexible remote work options, but 65% crave more in-person time with their teams. Consider redesigning physical spaces to accommodate hybrid work better. Update technology that supports work and meeting requirements.

Now’s the time to think of ways your municipality can stand out to attract the workers you need by addressing their work preferences. Cities need to plan for new ways of working and reimagine how, where and when work is carried out. A thorough analysis of your real estate/facilities portfolio will provide insights, considerations and tools to think more creatively. Such an analysis will help you mindfully respond to these emerging challenges by leveraging location and facilities to drive change.

Source: Colliers. Defining a Work Revolution, bit.ly/3Gmqup2.

Ken Krasnow is Vice Chairman of Colliers International, a multidisciplined commercial real estate advisory and consulting service. He can be reached at ken.krasnow@colliers.com.

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