GLM TEAM 
After the pandemic, the inevitable result was that the economy suffered severely, and many businesses were struggling to remain afloat. 36% of companies reported having laid off staff during level 5 restrictions, and the same percentage feared they did not have the financial resources necessary to maintain operations after the pandemic.
Hybrid working, a combination of remote and in-office work, has gained significant attention in recent years. As organisations adapt to changing work patterns, hybrid working presents challenges and opportunities for job creation in South Africa.
As the trend for the flexible workspace continues to spread, the numbers are getting bigger, too, from the roles created by running the building itself to the ancillary jobs that spring up to serve the new business community. Amongst these many economic benefits, flexible office space is predicted to add staggering value to local economies around the globe over the next ten years. It’s perhaps another indication that growth is still an essential part of an economy – but it’s shifting location, and it’s doing so with the potential to be more evenly distributed.
As the world’s leading office space provider, Regus’s global reach means it can spread a positive influence beyond the mere practical: its size allows it to make a real socio-economic impact on a local community and a positive impact on quality of life. As new generations enter the workforce, question the old way of doing things, and respond to the various challenges presented by life today (from environmental considerations to a better work and life balance), flexwork appears here to stay.
How can hybrid working positively contribute to creating jobs in South Africa?
Job Creation through Flexibility
Flexibility in work arrangements is one of the most significant benefits of hybrid working. By allowing employees to choose when and where they work, hybrid working promotes work-life balance and enables individuals to manage their professional and personal obligations more effectively by allowing them to decide when and where they work. This flexibility benefits employees and employers, enabling them to attract talent from a greater geographic area, which benefits both parties.
Enhanced Productivity
Hybrid working removes commuting time and other distractions from the workplace, allowing employees to concentrate on their work and deliver better results. Additionally, it will enable employees to collaborate and share ideas more efficiently, fostering creativity and innovation. As companies attempt to meet the growing demand for their products and services, this increased productivity can significantly increase employment opportunities in South Africa.
Supporting Entrepreneurship
Hybrid working can also support entrepreneurship and job creation in South Africa. Many individuals in South Africa have the drive and skills to start their own businesses, but they may need more than traditional work environments to suit their needs. By providing the flexibility to work remotely, hybrid working enables aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams without giving up their careers. This, in turn, creates new job opportunities as small businesses thrive and expand.
Diversifying the Economy
Hybrid working has the potential to diversify the South African economy. By reducing the reliance on physical office space and allowing for remote work, Hybrid working opens up opportunities for individuals to work from anywhere in the country. This geographical flexibility can attract talent from different regions, bringing different perspectives and ideas to the job market. Additionally, hybrid working can help attract foreign investment and foster the growth of industries previously limited by physical constraints.
Conclusion
Hybrid working can significantly contribute to job creation in South Africa. By offering flexibility, enhancing productivity, supporting entrepreneurship, and diversifying the economy, hybrid working opens up new job opportunities for both individuals and businesses. As organisations embrace this new way of working, ensuring that the necessary skills and technologies are in place is essential to enabling effective collaboration and communication. By capitalising on the opportunities presented by hybrid working, South Africa can establish a more inclusive and innovative job market.
Although flexible working may have been widely implemented out of necessity, there are many benefits to be found if we embrace this mode of working in the long term. Employers should not be afraid of doing so—change might be scary, but if the evidence is in favour of flexible working, they should not stand in the way of progress. If the South African economy looks to recover in the future, revolutionary and exciting steps like these might be just what we need to get the country going again.
About IWG PLC ​
IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of IWG’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity. ​ IWG’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the IWG app.
For more information
Visit www.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with IWG, see: https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location
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