“Although we work from anywhere, we want to create a space where people can come together.”
Finding the right flexible working set-up for your business isn’t one size fits all, it’s important to consider what your business needs but also listen to what your employees want. PrettyGreen have a completely open flexible working policy whilst still providing an office space two days of the week, every week.
PrettyGreen entered into a hybrid share with Pod Talent. Their Hybrid Office is on the 5th floor of a converted warehouse by Old Street roundabout. The 2200sqft space comprises 33 desks, 2 meeting rooms, a boardroom, living room, kitchen and games area. Pretty Green pay just over £250 per desk on a flexible contract. Both businesses have the office to themselves on fixed days of the week; the best part is that it still feels like home and they only pay for the days they need.
Space32 CEO & Founder, Jon Dweck sat down with PrettyGreen Co CEO, Jessica Hargreaves to discuss all things hybrid working and the future of the office.
JD: Why did you choose to office share?
JH: Well, we didn’t have the need for a full-time office but having somewhere available for the team to come in, if they need want to, is really important so it just made sense. And the team were really excited about this progressive solution that focuses on their needs and allows them to work how they choose.
JD: What are the benefits of having fixed office days?
JH: The biggest benefit is when you do want to come together you know that these are the days people are likely to come into the office. You can be really structured about your creative time, what you’re going to come into the office for, the culture piece. And when you do work from home, you’re working in a way that allows you to focus in your own way. It allows us to be more specific about what you do and when.
JD: Tell me about your flexible working policy?
JH: Our flexible working policy is free range. After a little noodling we’ve become free range hens, we’re not battery hens. We allow everybody to be free and have opportunity to work in an office, to have creative collaboration space, if they want to and if they don’t and we have the tech to support them. Although we work from anywhere, we want to create a space where people can come together.
JD: What have you found to be the main challenge of your hybrid working approach?
JH: The main challenge is with on-boarding new starters. We’ve had to totally flip our on-boarding process, which was pretty thorough anyway, but it now lasts longer. It needs to be much more structured, a real 12-week program. You have to put much more thought into it and secondly there is a piece on culture because why stay with a company unless there is a real camaraderie. Why do you want to go to work every day? Even if you work remotely, you have to have support and to enjoy the people you work with.
JD: What have you personally gained from hybrid working?
JH: Getting family time back, having meals with children, exercising in the morning. Just a proper home and work life balance. Which I don’t think I had previously in that way. I would look at people who worked locally and think “how amazing is that?”, whilst I’m getting on a train to come into London. It’s made a huge difference.
