New work – work that makes sense
From buzzword to concrete practice: how companies rethink structures, spaces and leadership.
Overview
New work means designing work so that it creates meaning, enables self-efficacy and fits people's real lives. For HR this is a cross-functional task: structures, spaces, tools and leadership all have to play together in a new way.
In this cluster we bundle the most important content around new work, agile organisation models, hybrid office concepts and modern leadership.
onyo is part of this movement: with our service we enable companies to run hybrid work professionally and at scale.
Dive deeper
Latest articles
Why narcissistic leaders oppose remote work
A US study suggests that power and status motives may influence leaders’ attitudes towards remote work. What the findings mean – and how HR can develop fair hybrid-work policies.
Savills study 2026: How can we measure the value of the office?
99% see office value for culture and collaboration, but only 38% consider it highly measurable. What the Savills study means for HR, occupancy and hybrid work.
Booking a Desk: How a Workplace Booking System Works
From spreadsheet to workplace booking system: how employees book desks, rooms and parking, which rules make sense and how to roll it out in four weeks.
Zukunft Personal Europe 2026 in Cologne: What HR Teams Can Expect
From 15 to 17 September 2026, Koelnmesse becomes the centre of the European HR world again. Dates, key topics, and how to plan a visit focused on hybrid work and employee experience.
Desk Sharing Software: What Companies Should Look For in 2026
Desk sharing software governs who uses which desk and when. Which features actually matter, what it costs, which legal points apply – and how to choose the right solution.
Remote Work and Mental Health: Why New Places, Movement and Contact Matter
A Science study of 588,322 workers finds remote work explains about a third of the rise in psychological distress. The problem is not working from home — it is how it is designed. What employers should take from the research.
Office Utilization Jumps to 53%: What the CBRE 2026 Study Means for Hybrid Work
Global office utilization rose from 38% to 53% in 2025 – the largest annual gain since 2021. The CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights 2026 report shows people come to the office for collaboration, not for attendance mandates. The key figures and what HR and workplace leaders should take from them.
Terms in the HR Glossary
- HR Glossary
Home Office as a Service (HOaaS): the future of flexible working
In an increasingly digital world, the concept of "Home Office as a Service" (HOaaS) is becoming more and more important.
- HR Glossary
Reducing office space: the future of New Work and hybrid working models
The reduction of office space has become a central topic in the discussion about the future of work.
Frequently asked questions
What is new work, really?
The term goes back to philosopher Frithjof Bergmann and means a working world that places self-determination, meaning and personal growth at the centre. Today it is also used as an umbrella term for modern, hybrid work models.
Is new work only for tech startups?
No. Industry, mid-market and public sector benefit too – but concepts have to fit each industry. A nurse needs different new-work approaches than a software engineer.
How do you measure the success of new work?
Through a mix of engagement scores, churn, recruiting success, sick-leave rate and customer satisfaction. A baseline before the transformation is essential.
What role does the office play?
The office shifts from a mandatory daily location to a meeting space. It stays important – but smaller, more flexible and used more deliberately. Desk booking and good home-office setups are the two key building blocks.
People also ask
Short, reliable answers from our knowledge base.
Should companies pay for coworking spaces?
An allowance can make sense, for example when employees have no suitable workstation at home or live far from the office. Whether it pays off depends on the costs and the actual need.
Read answerHow much office space does hybrid work save?
In practice, hybrid work and desk sharing typically save 20–40% of office space and therefore rent. Fewer desks needed means less space – how quickly the saving materialises depends on the lease.
Read answerDo employees in Germany have a right to work from home?
No, there is no general statutory right. A claim can arise from the employment contract, a works agreement, a collective agreement or established company practice.
Read answerDoes the works council co-determine remote work?
In companies with a works council, the design of mobile work is in principle subject to co-determination (section 87(1) no. 14 BetrVG). This concerns the general framework – not every individual decision in day-to-day work.
Read answer
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