9/26/2011

Workshifting Fuels Virtual Office Space Trend

Name: Davinci Virtual Office
Rating: 4.3

LOS ANGELES, CA-There’s been a lot written about workshifting since iPass issued its latest report a couple of weeks ago—and the momentum hasn’t died down yet. I thought I’d offer the virtual office spin on workshifting.

“Workshifting has now become the expectation of nearly all enterprise employees,” Evan Kaplan, CEO of iPass, says in its blog. “In our latest iPass Mobile Workforce Report we found that although 95 percent stated their employers encouraged or tolerated workshifting—40 percent would like to have an even more flexible work environment.”

If they aren’t getting enough flexibility at work, 33 percent would seek employment elsewhere, 57 percent would be less satisfied with their job, and 45 percent would feel less productive, Kaplan continues. He doesn’t specifically mention virtual offices in his blog, but clearly virtual office space is part and parcel of the workshifting strategy for many people.

“We should take note—if we don’t provide the flexibility today’s mobile employees feel entitled to—they will seek out those companies who do allow them the freedom to work when and where they choose,” Kaplan notes.

Kaplan offers more evidence for workshifting:

Mobile employees work more hours. In fact 75 percent of those surveyed claim to work more hours due to workshifting—more than half work at least 10 or more additional hours each week, and 12 percent work 20 or more additional hours.

Mobile employees are on demand. They work around the clock, 38 percent work before their commute, 25 percent work during their commute, 37 percent work during lunch, and 37 percent work at night — each and every day. Even on vacation, 97 percent stay connected to technology and nearly all did so at least partly for work.

Mobile employees feel more productive and efficient. 79 percent reported increased productivity and 78 percent reported increased efficiency.

Employees who workshift report improved work/life balance and more than half feel more relaxed because of the flexibility.

Kaplan would be the first to admit that he likes seeing folks in the office. Many companies that deploy alternative workplace strategies do. But virtual office technologies allow the distributed workforce to be more productive. Kaplan knows it is a win-win for his employees to spend less time commuting and more time focusing on work. And I bet he’d tell you that virtual offices play a role in making workshifting possible for many.

Check out this video with the story of one workshifter. It will inspire you!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSm1Q2Ke9ZA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL73D559F7A74860A8[/youtube]

This entry was posted in Virtual Office and tagged ipass, los angeles virtual office, los angeles virtual office space, los angeles virtual offices, mobile worker, virtual office in los angeles, virtual office space in los angeles, virtual offices in los angeles, workshift, workshifting, on September 26, 2011 by Jennifer LeClaire