The Benefits
Activity Based Working (ABW) and Agile working environments can be linked to a host of benefits if executed correctly, the most valuable benefit being the ability to foster employee wellness – mentally, physically and socially. You may have heard the saying “A happy employee is a productive employee” ultimately making a difference to your organisations’ bottom line!
Activity-based environment are a step away from open plan in the sense that people can have the freedom to create their preferred work environment, be that private, one to one or group working, allowing them to move away from larger crowded open plan spaces that will no doubt cause anxiety and concern for many as they return to work following Covid19 Lockdown.
How do I create an ABW environment?
There is no fixed guideline for this set-up. Each business will have its own take on an Activity-Based working environment, much of which will be down to company culture, how the business is structured and how your teams interact with each other. On the physical side of things, if you are already working on laptops, mobile phones and some remote working ability with the right technology in place, you are somewhat already part of the way there.
The design idea behind ABW in the workplace is to provide a variety of non-permanent/unassigned working environments for employees to choose/use when performing specific tasks or activities. It isn’t just about removing the ownership of desk, chair or office – it’s about empowering your employees, trusting and giving them the freedom to choose when, (which is essentially Agile working – removing the limitation of the 9-5 day) and how they work, providing an environment that is more likely to encourage engagement, attract talent, inspire and create a proactive workforce.
Activity Based Working isn’t just limited to places to work either, it also encompasses social spaces, such as breakout rooms, on-site gyms or lounge areas to clear your mind as well as creating an opportunity for employees to meet and share ideas across teams they may not otherwise engage within a standard work style set-up.
Check out this video by Veldhoen+Company which we feel is a great insight into Activity-Based Working.
