Technology has unshackled us from the cubicle

Peter du ToitI'm the founder of FutureWork IQ where I spend my time assisting businesses to design digital workplaces or “offices in the cloud.” These environments enable companies to allow flexible and remote working for their teams. I also teach the digital literacy, fluency, communication and collaboration skills needed to work in these modern technology-rich workplaces.

In the August 2017 edition of the South African Property Review magazine, on page 50 there is a reprint of this piece by James Maddock entitled The Gig Is Up: Saying Hello To Your Dream Workplace

In it he explores the impact flexible/remote working is having on traditional workplaces:

“The gig is up. Since we are working differently now, corporate workplaces must be prepared to support these changes. To this end, firms are increasingly redesigning their offices to provide fewer private offices and cubicles, and more open and collaborative space to address the fact that 30-50% of their workforce are not actual employees. The goals are twofold: first, to provide workplaces that facilitate discussion and collaboration. Second, to decrease the firm’s overall rent bill by providing less physical space to the worker. Contracting and collaborative workplaces are key factors in why office vacancies remain elevated even with our economy at full employment, and why so little office space is being built. Continued economic and job growth won’t change that. We need just as much office space.”

Technology has unshackled us from the cubicle.