When Clio was building its new headquarters in Burnaby, the tech firm wanted its workers to have total flexibility to work remotely, hybrid and in-office as it heads into a new era of work.
It’s been two years since the pandemic disruption, with companies are taking varying approaches and assessing what work model to adopt.
Clio provides cloud-based legal technology and it announced a digital-first model, meaning its primary work experience is remote. Its office hubs in Burnaby, Toronto, Calgary, and Dublin are connected virtually for its 800 employees to coordinate workflow across locations, time zones, and platforms.
“We’ve scaled Clio during an unprecedented time in history. Two pillars have carried us through leading to this moment: the resilience of this team, and the opportunity to rethink the workplace of the future,” said Jack Newton, CEO, and founder of Clio. “Today, we’re opening a flexible workplace structure that can adapt to the changing needs of our team, with choice placed firmly at the center of each employee’s journey.”
Some of its key designs are advancing inclusion through gender-neutral washrooms, dedicated spaces for new parents and low-profile counters in kitchens/lounges for accessibility. Other features include upgraded meeting room tech that connects employees regardless of location, an outdoor patio for picnics and barbecues, game areas, fitness studios, virtual call rooms, collaboration zones, hoteling workstations, and quiet rooms for heads-down work.
From decreased commute times to increased family times and effective daily schedules, remote work has allowed employees to balance the competing demands of work and personal lives. But it is not a one-size-fits-all. Some employees find access to an office space beneficial, highlighting the need for organic social interactions. Both perspectives compel Clio, and the company is responding to the shifting values of its workforce.
“The events of the past year have redefined our priorities. Employees want a human-centric workplace now more than ever. We are listening and adapting our policies to reflect individual needs,” said Newton. “To succeed in this new reality, workplace flexibility and innovation will remain a key draw for talent and staff retention.”
The company says it plans to scale up to 1,000 workers this year.
