Another week, another ‘Wave’ ???

5 news items from the world of work and workplace you can digest in 5 minutes.

This week:

1. Flexible work is a gender equality priority
2. Full-time in-office work is decreasing
3. 78% tech employees say flexible working is high priority?

Flexible Work is a Necessity: Women won’t return to a system that hasn’t served them well, reports Fortune . With many CEOs calling for a RTO, “it is hardly a coincidence that the demographic which benefited most from the old system has also expressed the most anxiety about changing it. But we shouldn’t confuse the feelings of powerful men with facts,” said Charter Co-founder & COO, Erin Grau . “Women are still trying to do it all, despite CEOs preserving work arrangements that are outdated and counterproductive when it comes to modern families and changing gender roles. By reimagining when, where, and even how we work, we can make meaningful progress toward gender equality and address the dramatic underrepresentation of women and people of all underrepresented genders in our companies, particularly at the most senior levels. Three years ago, flexible work was novel. Two years ago, it was normal. Today, it’s necessary. Our future workplaces – the ones my children and yours will inherit – rely on us to get this right.” Read Full Article.

Flex Index: Full-time in-office work is decreasing, according to the latest Flex Index by Scoop . The report tracks the latest market trends across industries, regions, and company sizes, to paint a comprehensive picture of the job market. Contrary to the headlines about CEOs demanding a RTO, the percentage of US companies working in the office full-time dropped from 49% in Q1 to 42% in Q2 2023. Minimum days per week becomes the most dominant structured hybrid model, with 61% of structured hybrid companies taking on this model in Q2, compared to 47% in Q1 2023.?Read Full Article.

Tech Models: A lack of hybrid working is a potential deal breaker for two thirds of tech workers, reports Workplace Insight. The Scaleup Culture report by Techspace shows 7 in 10 UK tech workers now consider hybrid working a key factor when considering a future employer. 78% of tech employees consider a flexible approach a high priority, with 65% saying they’ve seen a positive impact on their personal wellbeing, productivity, and quality of work. However they felt there had been a negative impact on communication, team cohesiveness and rapport with colleagues. Offering a flexible, hybrid model provides the best of both. Read Full Article.

Unutilized Space: CEOs thought the return to office debate was over - it looks like they were wrong. According to CNBC the latest data from New York City’s office market shows that while building visits are higher, the number of workers returning to the office has stalled. 波士顿谘询公司 warns of the coming wave of “zombie” office buildings, with vacancy rates and utilization under 50%. It says many buildings across the U.S. are already at that mark. “Assuming these trends continue and organizations right-size to fit new levels of demand, utilization may tick up slightly from today’s depths, but still only 60% to 65% of current US office space will be needed.” Read Full Article.

People Data: Understanding data is crucial to the success of hybrid workplaces, reports TechRound . Human capital data covers a wide spectrum – from work patterns, performance metrics, and engagement levels to professional growth, career aspirations, and much more. “By diving deep into this data, businesses can get a clear, holistic view of their workforce. This data serves as a map, guiding businesses in making informed decisions, optimizing the hybrid work model, and enhancing the overall employee experience.” And as hybrid working grows “the importance of people data will only intensify. The complexities of managing a hybrid work model will require a deep, data-driven understanding of the workforce. Businesses will need to rely on accurate, timely people data to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.” How are you using your people data? Read Full Article.

There’s an additional update I’d like to share, that featured in this week’s workplace news!

LiquidSpace has teamed up with Kadence to revolutionize hybrid work, by providing employees with access to a global network of flexible workspaces and internal offices through a single platform. The partnership allows companies and employees to instantly book on-demand desks, meeting rooms, and offices at coworking spaces worldwide, enabling teams to coordinate and meet up in person while reducing real estate costs. We’re super excited! Read Full Article.