New Schedules, Relaxed Offices to Become Norm

Our workplaces are changing dynamically today. New technologies and generational expectations have changed the “norm” for so many industries.

One industry that’s set the tone with advancements in communications and technology and how staff is managed is the call center. What was typically once a brick and mortar location full of agents on the phones has transformed to a place where workers don’t even need to be in the same physical location to get the job done.

Along with this industry’s transformation, many others are following suit. We’re no longer seeing offices staffed with cubicles of workers. Instead they are opting to work flexible hours and from home for a better work/life balance.

Blake Zalcberg, President of OFM, an office and school furniture manufacturer and distributor, recently wrote a great op-ed piece for the Huffington Post that looks at the reason behind today’s increasingly casual office setting and what’s in store for the future.

It’s interesting to read his analysis and think about how it applies in the call center – where staffing and scheduling play such a dynamic role in overall success.

Today’s offices are already allowing more lax dress codes and removing some of the hierarchy of management that keeps staff from collaborating directly with bosses, Zalcberg  notes.

And careful formal written communications are now being sent via a quick text at any time of the day. It’s also not uncommon to see mass texts for groups in a bid to foster teamwork and keep transparency. Technology is even being integrated in office furniture – like a USB port on the arm of a chair.

As a greater pool of millennials make their way into the work world, businesses are catching up with these needs in hopes to attract talent. As this shift occurs, understanding how your business can improve the way they furnish, schedule and manage employees will become necessary to survive. 

Edited by Alicia Young