Hybrid working and the future of work

Acknowledging that hybrid working is here to stay, there’s heightened awareness of the benefit of time in the office to support better collaboration and connections with colleagues and office leaders. This is also part of a wider conversation – and effort – across sectors to support staff’s wellbeing.

Businesses in Auckland’s city centre are actively engaging in this kaupapa, creating opportunities to make days in the office interesting and enjoyable, providing opportunities for their teams to connect with their colleagues outside of meeting rooms.

Waterfront property neighbourhood  Harbour Grounds is a great example of this.

In a blog post written by Harbour Grounds, they note that wellness is a multi-faceted idea and “being well is the key to a happy life.”

And they are doing more than just talking about it - throughout the month of August, they have a series of free events focusing on a different part of keeping well for their tenants. Free massages on Fridays, blood pressure checks and joining a group to train for the Auckland Marathon is a nod to the importance of physical wellbeing. Rather than rushing home, Harbour Grounds is also offering workers the chance to pause after work and exercise their creativity through a relaxed Paint and Chill session. More activities are happening across the month. No matter the topic or activity, each of them is a chance to make connections and try something new.

With COVID-19 accelerating the conversation about the future of work, there are lots of interesting perspectives being published. Britomart Group has released a series of interviews with industry leaders about their opinions of how businesses can respond to the future of the office and future of work through the pandemic and beyond.

Leadership Coach Sandy Burgham, founder of Auckland’s Play Contemporary Leadership CoLab says that “it’s going to take time for whatever the lessons are for organisations to become clear…we won’t actually know for a while…because it’s a “complex subject. ”Her full interview is here. 

Amber Coulter, co-founder of TRA “is still working everything out.” While her employees have recently gone completely flexible, she “absolutely believe[s] there is a place for the office. We still believe going forward that people will still want somewhere to assemble or go. It’s a social connection and collaboration that is the driving force back into the office…The things that we identified needing from a future space are flexibility, wellbeing, and community. The need for people to thrive, and feel a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. They need to be part of a herd.” Read it in full here.

EY’s leader of People and Culture for Oceania Kate Hillman notes that “our people are moving back to the office in increasing numbers, but I would say that the cities that were most impacted by COVID are having the slowest return.” Like Amber, Kate believes that flexibility is here to stay and that the future of the office is collaborative, and that a big perk of being back in the office is leadership presence. “One of the things our people love is proximity to leadership,” says Kate. “So, when my leaders say, "Well, my team aren't coming in," my question always is, "Are you making yourself available to meet with them? Because our people really like to be around their leaders". Her full interview is here.

Auckland’s city centre businesses will continue to grow and adapt as these conversations develop over time.