7 Types of Flexible Work Arrangements To Try In Your Business

Did you know that the entire course of your business could be influenced by the format of its workspace? As many enterprises have discovered this year, the shape of the workforce is a fundamental aspect of business plan and strategy.

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From fully remote, to hybrid, or traditional teams - flexible workspace and working practices are diversifying. They're becoming more flexible and autonomous than ever before. This impacts all areas of the business, including overheads, opportunities and employee wellbeing.

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There is no one-size-fits all approach to better business. Finding the right option for you and your team has never been easier. With something to suit everyone, flexible workspaces facilitate the need to shift and adapt as your business evolves.

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Here are 7 innovative options that you should explore today.

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The Hybrid Office

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One of the main benefits of flexible working is it's ability to offer the best of all worlds. This means delivering value to all stakeholders - employees, businesses and customers alike. The hybrid workspace is increasingly popular because it does exactly that.

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Combining the traditional office with the flexi-space of the future, this model is the perfect stepping stone for businesses looking to diversify without starting from scratch. Most often, the hybrid office consists of a central Head Quarters, with multiple satellite offices, and remote working practices.

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A central HQ is typically a traditional office with a long-term lease arrangement. This serves as a focal point for important meetings and correspondence. Employees then have the option to use local workspaces and other satellite offices, for day-to-day workspace needs.

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This perfectly integrates with the move towards flexible working hours and policies. Giving people the choice to shift their environment depending on their demands. As we head into a more remote world, such practices ensure that businesses stay innovative and adaptable, without compromising on integrity.

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In fact, flexible work arrangements are demonstrating improvements in output and productivity. This is largely thanks to their ability to make autonomy and wellbeing a central focus of the modern workplace.

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Co-working Spaces

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The demand for co-working has only increased exponentially since its inception in the 60s. No other flexible workspace arrangement provides as much opportunity to collaborate, in such an energising environment. The beauty of co-working spaces is that they house a wide variety of companies, backgrounds, and local enterprises. This brings teams and communities together, in a way that is increasingly important in large industrialised cities.

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As with the hybrid office, co-working spaces may take many different formats. Whereas some may be a standalone option for freelancers and start-ups, others also offer private office space. The strength of this model is in its diversity. As with the hybrid office, the availability of multiple different options means that your workspace arrangements can change size as you do.

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As well as saving on overheads by reducing space wastage, co-working spaces come fully equipped with everything the modern workplace requires. From 24/7 access, to front desk concierge, smart offices and specialised furnishings, it's not hard to see why individuals are increasingly hoping to leverage the benefits of co-working spaces as part of their flexible work arrangements.

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Day Passes

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If you're not quite ready to commit to a flexible co-working space on a part-time or full-time basis, day passes are the ideal intermediary. Suitable for employees who often find themselves on the road, or only require access a couple of days a month.

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Day passes do what they say on the tin. Instead of a monthly rolling contract agreement, you can flexibly buy a pass for any day that you'd like to use a space. Prices may occasionally vary on weekdays and weekends.

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As well as the low cost and commitments, day passes enable individuals to integrate into a co-working community, whenever is most suitable for them. Flexible workspace providers such as x+why have multiple branches across the nation. Whether you opt for a day pass or a flexible membership arrangement, there'll always be something on offer - wherever you are.

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Private Offices

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The traditional office isn't dead, but it has evolved to adapt to the modern workplace. The shift to a more remote world has meant that private offices are increasingly offering more flexible workspace arrangements. Gone are the days of lengthy legal agreements and inflexible long-term agreements. These days, private offices are available on the same flexible terms as co-working memberships.

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This entails monthly rolling contracts, pliability in space arrangements, and all inclusive furnishings. The benefits are more cost effective solutions, and greater resilience in the face of constant change. At x+why's Whitechapel space in the People's Mission Hall, we combine private office space provision, with co-working and freelance membership options. The diversity this provides is one of the modern workplaces' greatest strengths.

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Dedicated-Desks

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If you don't quite meet the space demands of an entire office, a dedicated desk membership may be the option for you. This means having an allocated workspace that's yours alone. So you'll always have a seat at the table, no matter how busy occupancy gets.

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Dedicated desk memberships are great for employees and freelancers who want to be able to leave their things at the office. Meaning they can pick-up right where they left off. This workplace arrangement is more economical than the private office, without compromising on personalised workspace. Dedicated desk memberships may also allow access to the benefits of co-working spaces, all under one roof.

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Hot-Desking

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If you prefer the freedom and flexibility that comes with not being tied to a dedicated work area, the hot-desking membership is the best option for you. Hot-desking allows you to sit wherever you please, on a first come first serve basis. These days, flexible workspace providers leverage technology to allow you to view live occupancy. Meaning that even without a dedicated desk, you'll never be short of space.

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Popular with individuals and freelancers, it provides a liberating solution for working closer to home. The lockdown imposed by the pandemic left many impatient to return to the office, without wanting to leave many of the benefits of working more remotely. Hot-desking is the ideal intermediary on an individual level. Presenting a hybrid of the work from home model, with the benefits of a social and collaborative workspace.

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The Virtual Office

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The virtual office may seem a little more unusual. As one of the most basic arrangements, it simply provides a workplace address. This allows you to give your office a permanent home, without paying to use it physically.

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It can also be combined with any other co-working or private office memberships. This may be a solution for individuals that prefer to work from home full time, who often find themselves abroad or non-resident.

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The virtual office means you always have somewhere to send your mail, as a central point of correspondence. As well as enabling access to add-ons such as booking meeting rooms or other in-house services.

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Both workspaces and workplace practices are becoming increasingly personalised and flexible. In an ever-evolving environment that is subject to exponential rates of progress and change, the head towards more customised solutions that have wellbeing and purpose at their core, is a shift that ensures competitive advantage, resilience and longevity.

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The world of work is changing for the better, what flexible workplace practices will you be implementing in your business?

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Explore some of our options today.

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