Remote work has become increasingly prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside with digital communication and collaboration tools, such as video conferencing, project management software, and cloud-based platforms. Moreover, remote work has evolved into various models, ranging from fully remote to hybrid and roaming arrangements.
As the pandemic impact decreased many companies aimed to create an effective return-to-office (RTO) strategy. Choosing work models aligned with the company's mission, ensuring security and compliance, balancing employee preferences, addressing productivity and engagement, investing in technology, and navigating long-term uncertainty are some of the challenges companies are facing.
As a solution, workplace data emerges with the potential to shape effective RTO strategies. With workplace data, organizations can learn valuable insights into employee preferences, productivity patterns, and space utilization. Companies can also leverage the data to create a more flexible, efficient, and supportive work environment tailored to their workforce's needs.
In this article, we will dive deeper into insights, statistics, and expert opinions on remote work and workplace data.
What is remote work? #
Remote work is a work model that allows employees to work outside of a typical office environment, often from home, or other locations organized individually, such as coworking and shared spaces.
While remote workers mostly work from outside an office space, they still might come to a physical space and join on-site meet-ups when needed. This approach differs slightly from hybrid work models, where employees are typically expected to work remotely part of the week but must attend the office on specific days regularly.
As for work schedule, remote work tends to offer various degrees of flexibility, depending on individual company policies. Some organizations adopt a fully flexible approach, allowing employees to set their own hours as long as they meet deadlines and complete tasks, while other companies might require more fixed terms. For hybrid workers, specific work hours often apply whether they are working remotely or in the office.
Explore Kisi's Future of Workplace Guide to find detailed information about emerging work models and the main differences between on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.
What is workplace data? #
Workplace data refers to the collection and analysis of information related to the physical and digital environments where employees work. This data includes metrics on space utilization, in-person interactions, and employee productivity. It can also encompass aspects such as:
- Office occupancy rates
- Desk occupancy rates
- Meeting rooms usage
- Security data
By leveraging workplace data, organizations can optimize their office layouts, enhance employee satisfaction, improve operational efficiency, and support decision-making related to remote and hybrid work models.