Measurably high levels of wellbeing for users of a life cycle school
The new Workery+ concept stands out from both traditional office spaces and communal coworking facilities. What does it entail and for what types of businesses is it designed?
In January, we released the new Workery+ concept for the commercial properties market.The first Workery+ will be opened in late spring 2021 in Helsinki’s Vallila, address Sturenkatu 16. More properties will soon follow as we aim to create a network of commercial properties in Helsinki metropolitan area.
What exactly is Workery+ and how will it benefit businesses operating in the metropolitan area? Outi Vaarala, Product Owner of Workery+, is one of the best people to answer these questions.
What does Workery+ offer to businesses in need of commercial properties?
Workery+ combines elements from both traditional office rentals and coworking spaces. The concept consists of both private offices and shared spaces under the same roof. Businesses can rent private facilities, open-plan workstations or an optimal combination of the two with a flexible agreement.
In addition to personal offices and jointly used workstations, members of Workery+ can also use shared conference rooms, project spaces, creative spaces, a café-restaurant and a premium-quality gym in the same building. That is why we call Workery+ a multi-user environment. Other services, such as a professionally equipped studio for webcasts or online training sessions, are also available for a separate fee.
Workery+ combines elements from both traditional office rentals and coworking spaces.
Why is this concept needed right now?
The COVID-19 pandemic has proved how fast the circumstances of business operations may change. It has made remote work a permanent part of everyday life for the knowledge work professionals who previously spent most of their working day at the office.
The new situation has prompted companies to consider how the ways of working will be reshaped moving forward. For example, not many medium-sized or large companies can know for sure how much space they are going to need one year from now. If you work in an office, when was the last time you were at your workplace with all of your coworkers present? Nevertheless, leases for office spaces are usually signed for 5–15 years. This means that the company may have to pay for underused space. The costs are running even though the people are working elsewhere.
Workery+ offers a solution to this problem: more flexible commercial properties that do not require years of commitment.
How is the rent determined in Workery+?
The company contracts the workspaces from YIT for the desired number of employees and pays for the space according to use.
YIT offers various package sizes for the customers. Basic membership includes the right to use furnished shared spaces, a mobile app, Internet connection and printers, joint events, joint marketing and membership discounts from partners.
The monthly fee for basic membership is about EUR 350 per person. However, as the contract is flexible, the space can be used for a single day, for example. In that case, the price is EUR 30 per day.
If the business needs several memberships in Workery+ and, for example, an added private office space, the monthly cost per each employee is more affordable at about EUR 300. This includes the privacy of your own office.
The period of notice of workstation membership is one month and that of a private office space is two months; in other words, it is much shorter than in traditional office leases. Download the pricing list.
Let’s look at a practical example: if an employee decides to work at the Workery+ office this week and spends next week working from home, will next week be cheaper for the employer as the employee is not using the Workery+ space?
The payment model we have adopted is not quite as flexible as this because both YIT and the corporate customers also need the costs of commercial properties to be predictable.
The number of memberships is specified in the Workery+ contract between YIT and the member company. This means that if the company wants 50 memberships, for example, we invoice them for 50 memberships. However, if the company has 200 employees, for example, each employee can be granted the right to use these 50 memberships when they want. If 51 employees happen to show up on the premises one day, we will charge the customer for one additional day pass, in other words EUR 30.
The company can also increase or decrease the number of memberships within the limitations of one-month periods of notice even on a monthly basis, if needed.
What sizes of businesses is Workery+ recommended for?
For all sizes, from small enterprises to large conglomerates. We are not going to run out of space. Our Vallila pilot project, for example, offers 17,000 m2 of space. This is enough for even the largest companies.
In the future, when the Workery+ network covers several facilities, businesses may even choose to work in all of them.
What types of businesses is Workery+ not recommended for?
If the company already has efficient use of commercial properties with perfectly customised usability, functions and services, there will be no immediate need for Workery+.
However, we invite even those companies to try our services out. Some workers flourish with the occasional change of working environment. This depends on the employee and the ways of working; whether the employee likes to have the same environment and routines all the time or whether they need change as well as the inspiration brought by the presence of other enterprises.
The company can also increase or decrease the number of memberships within the limitations of one-month periods of notice even on a monthly basis, if needed.
How are the premises of Workery+ used?
Those working on the premises use a mobile application that has many functions. It can be used as a membership card and access pass and with it you can book a workstation or conference room on the shared premises. Once the employer concludes a Workery+ membership contract with YIT, the employees are given usernames and passwords for the application.
If you forget your phone at home or in your car, for example, our staff will be there to check you in. Checking in is important as it helps maintain a high level of safety and ensures that unauthorised individuals cannot access the premises.
How do you ensure a high level of information security and physical safety in a multi-user environment?
The entire Workery+ started out with the development of security and safety. The security and safety of premises must be guaranteed before businesses can even consider returning to the office.
Health and safety concerns have been taken into account in the spatial planning with, for example, adequate space, ergonomic furniture and hand sanitation points. The mobile app also helps keep a safe distance; as long as COVID-19 remains a health hazard, members of Workery+ will not even be able to reserve a workstation too close to another member. A high level of hygiene is also maintained with touchless and automatic taps and light switches. Efficient and high-quality Genano air purifiers clean the indoor air of viruses and bacteria.
Businesses can securely store confidential information in their offices without having to worry about unauthorised access. In addition to the offices, spaces such as conference rooms have been soundproofed and the screens in the meeting rooms cannot be seen from the hallway. Cybersecurity, including Wi-Fi connections, has also been authorised and an external information security specialist assesses the situation on our behalf.
In the future, when the Workery+ network covers several facilities, businesses may even choose to work in all of them.
How will the launch of Workery+ change operations at YIT?
Workery+ makes YIT a service operator for business premises. We want to secure a high service level for all businesses, regardless of their size. With YIT as the service operator, the available services are not dependent on the owner of the facilities the customer is leasing; the services will be exactly as agreed with YIT.
We will use subcontractors for some services. For the customer, the concept is effortless as any service-related matters can be handled through YIT.
How will YIT be seen in the everyday life of Workery+?
The most visible YIT element in Workery+ will be the YIT staff working there. Their role is to be the eyes, ears and helping hands of the place, from lobby services to IT support and events. YIT staff will take care of everything usually managed by an assistant, office manager or other administrative staff.
Why will the first Workery+ be opened in Vallila?
The location of Workery+ in Sturenkatu is optimal for a large group of customers. It is close to several main routes, stations and public transport connections. It can be easily accessed by car from different directions and offers parking spaces for both cars and bicycles. Moreover, the rent of the premises is not as high as in downtown Helsinki, for example.
Where will the next Workery+ after Vallila be set up?
We have already started planning the next sites. They are Workery+ Pasila and Workery+ Käpylä. We aim to open about a dozen similar working hubs in the metropolitan area in the future.
Read more about Workery+ and join!
