Answering your questions about Mohawk College’s Flexible Workspace Strategy
Mohawk College is developing a Flexible Workspace Strategy that will inform how on-campus office spaces for faculty and staff should be designed and provide a plan to make that vision a reality.
The college has hired Deloitte to work with a Project Team and Steering Committee to develop the strategy and implementation plan. The goal is to have the strategy and plan completed by Winter 2024. Throughout the process, Deloitte will work with the Project Team and the Steering Committee to ensure that employees are informed, and everyone’s feedback and opinions are considered.
This is an exciting change for the college, and we know employees will have questions about what this will mean for them. Below are some answers to the most commonly asked questions. This information will remain available on Inside Mohawk and will be posted to MyMohawk in the coming weeks. Watch for updates in Mohawk this Week and through Announcement emails.
If you have a question about the Flexible Workspace Strategy that is not included below, please email Project Manager Paulette Sloat at paulette.sloat@mohawkcollege.ca.
Q. Why is Mohawk College developing a Flexible Workspace Strategy?
A. Through the flexible work pulse surveys and feedback the college has received over the past few years, employees have made it clear that flexible work options are important to them and something they place a high value on. Hearing this, the college made it a priority to build a culture that embraces flexible work.
The Flexible Workspace Strategy is the next step in this journey. Having flexible work options and the spaces to support these options is necessary for attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive job market. It also aligns with the college’s Digital Learning Strategy and the need to provide students with greater flexibility in their learning.
Q. How will the Flexible Workspace Strategy affect me?
A. It is too early to say how this will affect specific individuals and teams. It will take several months to develop the strategy and the plan to put the strategy into action. Until then, there will be opportunities for you to have input and participate in consultations around the strategy’s development.
Q. What is in it for me and my colleagues?
A. This is an exciting change for the college. Through this strategy, we will create spaces that support the way we learn and work today, while being flexible enough to adapt to any future changes that may come our way.
Q. Why can’t we go back to the way things were before?
Having flexible work options and the spaces to support these options is necessary for attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive job market. It also aligns with the college’s Digital Learning Strategy and the need to provide students with greater flexibility in their learning.
Q. Will I lose my office?
A. We do not know that yet. Many offices are sitting vacant throughout the college as many individuals choose to work from home occasionally OR most of the time. We do know you need space when you come on-site to do your work, so we will be looking at what type of work you do, the type of space you need and coming up with solutions that use space efficiently and give people options.
Q. Will I have to move my location?
A. We do not know yet, but it is likely that the report will make recommendations to relocate some groups to more suitable locations that offer the appropriate space, adjacencies and tools needed to do your work while on site.
Q. When will we be in our new spaces?
A. The final report is intended to tell us the best plan to roll out any changes, so we won’t know until it is completed. We expect there will be some immediate recommendations and some that will require time to design and build. Timing around events at the college, available funds, and resources will all significantly affect the timing.
Q. What if I need private space?
A balance of space options will be identified to support employees in their work activities, including private space for individuals. The intent is to enhance employee productivity and enjoyment, and promote equitable, inclusive and flexible office and faculty spaces so that employees can continue to provide optimum delivery of student support and services.
Q. Will I be near the team members I need to work with?
A. There is no intention to separate teams or groups. In fact, we’re hoping that any rearrangements that occur can bring teams together that are currently not and possibly improve access to the other teams you work closely with.
Q. What will happen with the space once freed up?
The college needs space for improved accessibility, more labs and classrooms, and student support services. Any space efficiencies found will support that need.