Flexible workspace provider Office Space in Town (OSiT) has unveiled five bedrooms at its Monument site. The company has said it is responding to “increasing numbers of commuters wanting to play late in the city and skip the morning rush hour.”
According to recruitment firm Hays, approximately 40% of employers are now implementing strategies to encourage their staff back into the office, with incentives such as improved locations, greener spaces, cycle-to-work schemes, social activities and complimentary breakfasts.
However, most companies are hesitant to offer sleeping accommodation, possibly due to public perceptions regarding work-life balance.
Peter Hall, a tenant at OSiT’s Monument site, doesn’t mention any issues with disconnecting after hours. He said: “We regularly have our overseas team members visiting our London office from Monday evening and Friday morning, and this makes the planning and execution of the visit painless.
“It is very convenient to accommodate visitors close to the office, which simplifies out of time zone calls and meetings that need to be conducted from the office,” as reported by City AM.
While OSiT’s suite of five rooms is a modest beginning, the company already has plans for expansion. They’re currently seeking “new, larger Zone 1 London sites” ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 sqft to “allow it to roll out this vision”.
OSiT is set to redefine the workplace with its ‘Omni Office’ concept, incorporating everything from rooms and nurseries to restaurants, dog-grooming facilities, and yoga studios, aiming to be a “one-stop shop” for its tenants.
“The way we work has changed and the spaces we work in must evolve with it,” said Giles Fuchs, co-founder of OSiT. “People want convenience and flexibility.”
Mr Fuchs emphasised the company’s commitment to a “holistic” office experience that “help[s] take care of all aspects of our client’s lives”.
OSiT already has Monopoly and Alice in Wonderland-themed offices that have garnered glowing feedback and made a “significant impact” on clients, according to the firm.
“People want to be here,” a tenant from the Monopoly-themed office told The Times, highlighting the importance of an appealing workspace to encourage staff presence throughout the week. “That’s crucial as we want [employees] in for four or five days a week.”
The question remains whether the traditional nine-to-five will transform into a 24-hour working model in the future – only time will tell.
