One of the main reasons businesses choose serviced offices is flexibility. Negotiable leases, the ability to quickly and easily grow or shrink according to market conditions, instant access to high-quality equipment, secretarial services, plush meeting rooms … the list of advantages goes on and on.
Joining flexibility as a key advantage for occupiers of serviced offices is the advent of the flexi-fortnight.
This is the phrase currently doing the rounds in the London media. It relates to next year’s Olympics and the logistical risks of so many extra visitors using a transport system where ‘the wrong type of leaves or heat’ can cripple the network. Transport for London expects there to be an additional three million journeys on public transport each day during the games – they’d better lay on a few more carriages then!
The idea of all those extra bodies squashed up against one another, making the already stretched and sweaty transport system all the more unbearable for their employees, has forward-thinking employers nervously looking for ways to alleviate their concerns.
Investment banks in Canary Wharf, an area where congestion is expected to be even heavier than elsewhere in London, are said to be reviewing their working practices. Hot-desking, working remotely and avoiding rush hour, all options already open to occupiers of serviced offices, are reportedly being considered.
In March, consultants Deloitte released a report, forecasting an increase in flexible working during London 2012. Research found that 11% of companies will encourage staff to work at sites away from Olympic venues and 8% will allow greater use of working from home. The ‘opportunity to trial new working practices’ is also noted in the report.
Sebastian Coe is also singing from the songsheet of flexibility. The head of London’s 2012 Olympic committee says he has ‘already got thousands of workers in Canary Wharf who have agreed to work flexitime’ and is reminding Londoners: ‘We are all going to have to change and challenge our arrangements.’
Occupiers of serviced offices appear well placed for a podium finish in dealing with these demands.
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