New research from AV services and solutions provider Kinly has found that nearly two-thirds (65%) of businesses admit their office spaces are no longer optimised for hybrid working.
The disappointing reality of poor offices is met by the fact that a similar number (66%) have asked workers to return at least part-time.
The survey of more than 400 AV professionals in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordics also revealed an equally poor state of hybrid working, with companies struggling to bridge the gap between office and home working.
Offices are no longer suitable
The report highlights the challenges presented by hybrid working: around one in three companies (28%) identified the complexities of flexible and remote communication as a top concern. In addition, more than half of respondents noted that poor hybrid workflows (57%) and outdated AV technologies (58%) are hampering productivity.
Recognizing that demands are evolving, Kinly found that businesses are committed to investing in remote support and management (33%), unified communications and collaboration software (33%), and hybrid meeting rooms in the office (33%).
Simon Watson, Innovation Director at Kinly, commented: “Calling employees back to the office is not a solution to poor hybrid working practices.”
Watson added: “Effective hybrid work depends on having the right technology in place at home and in the office, and most importantly, ensuring that all of these technologies work together seamlessly to give employees the same experience no matter where they work.”
The report also quantifies the effects of a better hybrid environment on the workforce: those who have undergone an AV transformation project in the past year report a 42% increase in productivity, a 42% increase in efficiency, and a 37% increase in staff retention.
As work habits continue to evolve and digital experiences become more common, it’s clear that businesses need to invest time and money into ensuring their office and hybrid systems remain fit for purpose.
