This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE public sector and government department workplaces will evolve in the coming years to flexible and connected spaces such as those pioneered by tech giants WeWork and Google, according to JLL.
JLL’s new report, Connected Worksplaces, said in the next few years, an ageing workforce, smart building technology and expectations for digital customer experiences will push the public sector towards adopting the type of connected workplaces pioneered by companies including Telstra, WeWork and Google, in the war for attract and retain talent.
JLL’s head of government business – Australasia Chris Hunt said the modern workplace has undergone unprecedented change over the past decade.
“In today’s digitally enabled world, organisations are defining themselves less by the physical footprint they occupy and more by what they deliver or can achieve through a digitally enabled space.
“Historically, private companies have been focused on profit and engaged in the war for talent while government departments delivered policy and programs across economic, social, environmental and cultural pillars.
“Now, the rise of the new generation of connected workers, empowered by collaborative and mobile solutions, is shaping the future workplace and workforce across all sectors,” he said.
Hunt said the workforce is also changing with more people retiring and fewer entering the job market.
According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, over the next five years there will be fewer than 125 people exiting education for every 100 people retiring – the highest ratio of job market retirements to new entries in Australia’s history.
“This is a clear indicator that the struggle to attract and retain talent will be an issue across all sectors,” Hunt said. “The provision of a fully connected workplace will no longer be optional.”
“The employee of today and the future expects a personalised, interactive experience both at home and at work. Workers are becoming active consumers, rather than passive recipients, of flexible, adaptable workspaces that improve their comfort, engagement and productivity.
“Agencies prepared to embrace the connected workplace will become the future workplaces of choice. However, the connected workplace is not just about the technology or the design. At the essence, it’s about how easy organisations can make it for workers to use the technology, enjoy the space and really become engaged in what they’re doing.”
According to JLL, public sector organisations that have started to embrace the rise of the digital worker and customer are already seeing the benefits.
“Individual agencies which have already taken steps towards more connected workplaces are also gaining greater insight and visibility of their own portfolios,” Hunt said. “This is providing a more agile environment capable of quickly responding to the constant change so unique to government.”
Australian Property Journal
