YouGov study sheds light on workers' relationship with colleagues and workplace
YouGov, the research institute, questioned over 1,000 Belgian workers, on behalf of Comet, the hybrid work expert, about their approach to the workplace and relationships between colleagues. The figures reveal that women and younger workers, for example, have a greater need to meet face-to-face. Another remarkable figure is that almost one in two Belgians would like to see their colleagues more often.
According to a YouGov study, almost 50% of working Belgians would like to see their colleagues more often! What's more, 37% of them consider that telecommuting can have a negative impact on their personal and professional development. Remote working is not a solution for everyone. Among the ills pointed out are: lack of human relations (29%) and information sharing between colleagues (29%), feelings of isolation (22%) and increased workload (20%).
It's for this reason that almost half of Belgians would like to return to the office more regularly to get together with colleagues (47%), as well as to maintain (36%) and create new relationships (35%).
The work environment: a key factor in employee well-being
At a time when the office real estate sector is experiencing an unprecedented global crisis, what also emerges from the survey conducted by YouGov for Comet is the importance of the work environment for Belgian workers. In response to the emergence of new needs, numerous services have appeared in recent years. They aim to enrich the office offering and provide a more qualitative experience for employees. Comet, for example, offers several solutions enabling companies to reinvest in collective and face-to-face time, even on a one-off basis: meeting and event rooms equipped with a wide range of services (catering, technical assistance, well-being, etc.).
Victor Carreau, CEO and co-founder of Comet: "At a time when the office real estate sector is going through an unprecedented crisis, it is important that the major players and companies review their copy and offer spaces that are better adapted to the needs of employees and their hybrid working style. More than ever, employees come to the office to see their colleagues, create and maintain links, obtain information or generate new ideas - things they can't do from a distance. Professional meeting places - offices, events, training courses and the like - must therefore first and foremost enable ideas to come together and circulate. "
From real estate to hospitality, Comet rebrands to embrace this new reality
Comet launched into meeting and event venues in 2016. Originally a real estate player, Comet sees the results of this study as an opportunity to refocus its identity on its hospitality business: welcoming and accompanying its customers. Focusing on the shortcomings and frustrations of telecommuting, the company wants to prepare for the next stage in its development and announce the evolution of its brand. Victor Carreau is delighted with this development: " While we remain a real estate player, it is striking to note that our customers come and return mainly for our warm, human accompaniment. It's about time this proximity was reflected in our visual identity, because we're in the business of service, from human to human. Through our locations, we seek to bring professionals together in a world that tends to drive them apart, and to encourage them to exchange ideas. That' s why our new brand emphasizes the prefix "co": it comes from the terms "collaboration", "collective" or "cohesion", among others."
