A whopping two in three Kiwis work from home at least part of the time, according to Logitech’s recent research. Powered by Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk, this four-part series looks at the new way Kiwis are working and the innovations that could change everything.
Part one is focused on what hybrid working actually is and why Kiwis love it so much.
The pandemic completely changed how the entire world worked, and New Zealand wasn’t immune, with most Kiwis becoming fully remote employees almost overnight.
But as lockdowns became a thing of the past, working from home remains persistently popular, with workers regularly ranking it as one of their most important considerations when choosing a job.
Nowadays, most workplaces have a mixture of at-home and in-the-office work – often employing a split of three days onsite and two remote.
Dr Amanda Wallis, Research, Development and Innovation Lead at workplace wellbeing service Umbrella, says hybrid working has been a lively debate for years now.
“Some employers believe that employees cannot be trusted to work effectively from home. Others have embraced the hybrid working model wholeheartedly, downsizing office spaces and even offering remote-first roles,” Wallis says.
Logitech’s market research surveyed more than 1500 workers across New Zealand and Australia and found Kiwis are leading the charge on hybrid working.
The research found that 60% of Kiwis have a hybrid work schedule, while 6% are working full-time from their homes. The rest are working full-time at the office.
Of the two countries, New Zealand is the leader in hybrid working at 69%, while our Tasman neighbours are at 53%.
Hybrid working is most popular among Gen Z, who first entered the workforce during the pandemic and don’t know anything different.
On the other hand, Gen X favours hybrid working the least.
Participants told researchers that working from home is efficient because it’s easy to concentrate, increases creativity, is comfortable and allows for a perfect work-life balance.
The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk is perfect for hybrid working, known for its compact, all-in-one, ergonomic features and long-lasting battery life.
“We know that a lot of people struggle with task switching onsite or in an office and are unable to make meaningful progress. Being at home can allow for deep focused work, which in itself, can make our work more satisfying and enjoyable,” Wallis says.
“So, we need to maximise work that is fit for purpose. If you can, maximise the benefits of working remotely by scheduling deep and uninterrupted project work, and maximise the benefits of being in the office with collaborative, creative and innovative teamwork.”
Read more: Kiwis prove hybrid working is here to stay
Office workers aren’t just working from home either, they also use cafes, libraries, shared spaces and the outdoors.
The most popular place to work from outside of one’s home is a café at 39%, followed closely by the library at 31%.
Parks come third at 20% with shared spaces at 17%. Surprisingly, a gym is preferred for 12% of Kiwis and a bar at 10%.
Despite its popularity and the benefits of working from home, one major downside to the hybrid model is poor tech. Around 55% of Kiwis said they preferred to work from the office because the right kit is there.
Logitech’s market research predicts that if these tech issues are resolved, 51% of Kiwis would benefit from the convenience, efficiency and productivity of remote working.
Wallis agrees, saying that even though research highlights the many benefits of working from home, hybrid workers need to be better supported.
Logitech’s Casa Pop-Up Desk features a wireless keyboard and touchpad that can be stored inside the desk and taken anywhere you choose to work.
“Being set up with the right tools and technology, establishing team norms about hybrid working hours and availability, and ensuring access to equal opportunities for mentorship and professional development all help to make hybrid work successful,” she adds.
“Give people the right tools to work at home. We all heard stories of people working from ironing boards during pandemic lockdowns. We still want people to have healthy working environments that are fit for purpose and have access to the resources they need – whether that’s people or equipment.”
Fabien Degueldre, Logitech’s General Manager for NZ, explains that this need was the driving force behind the invention of the Casa Pop-Up Desk.
The Casa Pop-Up Desk is an all-in-one desk setup comprising a wireless keyboard and an intuitive touchpad. This innovative workstation is stored inside a book-like case that transforms into a sturdy and ergonomic laptop stand to encourage better posture at the workspace. It then folds away when work is done.
“Logitech recognised that we needed to have a solution for people who are hot-desking, or even working at home on a dining table. It’s not natural for people to always have an office in the house,” Degueldre says.
“The Casa product is a game-changer for those scenarios. It easily unfolds onto a dining table, serves its purpose efficiently and then can be quickly stowed away. Its versatility is especially relevant today as many companies adopt hot desking, where personal items can’t be left on the desk.”
It’s not just about the convenience of having a ready-made desk at home; the Casa Pop-Up Desk also caters to employees who are frequently on the move.
Degueldre himself frequently uses the Casa Pop-Up Desk at the airport and as for the strangest location – a rooftop bar in Melbourne.
He says that the Casa Pop-Up Desk is launching at a crucial moment to support workers wherever their office is. Innovate office tech is also increasingly important as hybrid work becomes the new norm worldwide.
“Creating these types of products is very much in line with Logitech’s philosophy. We’re a design-first company and we’re providing solutions not just about flogging products out there. It’s about creating the right solutions and the right innovation points for our consumers,” says Degueldre.
