CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD ANALYSES REMOTE WORK ISSUE The office market is now at the epicenter of changes caused by the transition to the remote work model due to the COVID-19 epidemic. However, with the epidemic situation improving, organizations have already commenced planning the return of employees to the workplace.
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he analysis of the findings of a survey of tenants of the office buildings in the portfolio of properties under management of Cushman & Wakefield Poland reveals how companies are preparing for this change. In their survey conducted using the CAWI method in June 2021 on a sample of 132 decision-makers in office space management (CEOs, Heads of Administration, Chief Operating Officers and Office Managers) experts of Cushman & Wakefield asked the respondents for how many days employees would ultimately return to the office in a post-pandemic environment. 45% of the survey respondents said that they would implement the hybrid model combining in-office work and working from home. The most popular hybrid model involves three days of remote work (38%) and full flexibility (27%). The traditional work model was indicated by close to 25% of the respondents while 63% of all would permit remote working only in exceptional circumstances. Over 30% of all the respondents have not decided which model to embrace for their return to the workplace and have, 22
Autumn 2021
therefore, taken no specific action regarding their further use of office space. “Combining working from home and in-office work is a safe alternative that fosters social bonding in an organization and helps workers enjoy the best of remote work. Many people cannot imagine themselves going back to the office five days a week. Two or three days of in-office work are optimal, because they allow all the employees to meet the members of their teams at least once a week. The remaining time can be easily utilized to catch up with heads down work or to have virtual meetings,” says Dominika Kowalska, Associate, Workplace Strategy, Office Department, Cushman & Wakefield. Almost a third of all the respondents have either made changes to the ways office space is used during the pandemic (11%) or are planning to make them in the next 12 months (20%). 30% of all the respondents have not made any decisions regarding adaptation of office space to the new reality. With no end yet in sight for the pandemic, some companies are inclined to adopt a wait & see strategy for office space use. Just under 30% of the respondents The Warsaw Voice
