Three Challenges Of Moving To An Agile Work Space
An agile work environment is a term that is common in conferences and business summits. What is it? An agile work environment is a workplace arrangement that is based around the notion that work is a set of different activities in a fixed location.
Based on this, the employees are not provided with rigid work-spaces but are instead allowed to move around to different areas of the workplace as demanded by their tasks. To achieve the shift to an agile work environment, one thing that is inevitable is refurbishing the office to accommodate the new changes.
When changing office furniture, you will have a chance to upgrade to something that will give your office a modern look. Some of the benefits of adopting an agile work environment include the reduction of facility management costs and real estate costs, the improved collaboration and productivity among employees, and flexibility in terms of accommodating contract workers, hiring new employees, and consultants.
While this workplace arrangement bears numerous advantages to those who are able to successfully implement it, there are some hurdles experienced when shifting from the traditional way. This article provides you with three top challenges of moving to an agile work environment and how to overcome these challenges.
1. Concern over the impact of the change to their health and safety
In organisations, the health and safety of the employees determine their job satisfaction and ultimately their productivity. When moving to an agile work environment, some employees could become more aware and concerned about the effects of the workplace on their health. No one wants to work in a place that they feel is slowly killing them.
In order to put the employees’ state of mind at ease, managers should offer wellness programs that help cater to their health. Changes could also be made to the workplace with the health of the workers in mind such as; healthier food options and executive office furniture that provide healthier sitting positions and providing education on healthy living.
2. Employees anxiety and resistance
It is natural that your employees will be reluctant to give up the traditional fixed-seating office for a more agile design. To some of them, it will feel as if they are losing their privacy and ability to concentrate on their work. This is understandable as there are daily habits that are usually hard to give up.
Employees who take the shift negatively will be less productive and could lead to the change not being a success. In order to make the employees more collaborative towards the shift, you should make them see the positive effects that it will have on them and the organisation. The means of communication should also be gradual and effective so they feel more involved in the process.
3. Hardship adapting to new workplace design
Adjusting to a new work environment is usually difficult and at the initial stages, productivity could be highly compromised if care is not taken. People are usually slow when adapting to new environments and if it is coupled with negativity towards the change, some members of your team could become very unproductive.
To ensure productivity is maintained, the manager could take measures such as using data available to determine the best space planning and workplace utilization measurement system. This will ensure that the resources and space available are enough for the employees to maintain their productivity.
By identifying the challenges above that could hinder your adaptation of this revolutionary workplace concept, you will be best suited to ensuring your transition is as smooth as possible. Where the employees seem to be resistant even after you have tried your best, understand that they are human and we are naturally resistant to change. Through patience, they will have the time to see the benefits in the future and be more collaborative.
You could make us your partner in shifting to an agile workplace as they will ensure all your furniture needs are catered for in the most cost-effective way in the market. Contact us now and let us help you take this important business step.
