Deloitte unveils workplace of the future in new Montreal office tower

Montreal, September 18, 2015 – Deloitte today unveiled its newest office space in Montreal, providing employees with a whole new way of working. Located within the new Deloitte Tower in the Quartier de l’innovation, the offices are a true collaboration center designed to inspire creativity, innovation, collaboration and productivity in the workplace.

Dubbed ‘the workplace of the future,’ Deloitte’s new space is more social, more flexible, more technological and free of internal ‘silos’, introducing more collaborative workspaces as well as physical connection points throughout the office to provide employees with choice in the way they approach work.

“Our research shows that workplace values are largely compatible across generations – but what differs is approaches to work itself,” said Marc Perron, Managing Partner for Quebec, Deloitte. “By providing employees flexibility and choice when it comes to the way they work, we’re creating a workplace of the future that encourages collaboration, team work and cross-functional, innovative thinking.”

The Canadian edition of Deloitte’s 2015 Human Capital Trends report, which is part of one of the largest longitudinal studies of talent, leadership, and HR challenges and readiness around the world, found that today’s workers, particularly Millennials who now make up more than half the workforce, expect greater flexibility in their workspace. This creates a new set of challenges for organizations, particularly HR teams, as they consider what these trends mean for leading and engaging employees, and reinventing and reimagining work.

“Modern office work is inherently social; it requires interaction between people, which in turn requires a flexible workspace” said Perron. “Organizations need to look beyond telecommuting policies and consider how the office can be transformed to provide the kind of workplace that fosters engagement and talent retention.”

A variety of spaces within the office also encourages a strong commitment to innovative thinking. With technology poised to disrupt Canadian businesses, no matter their size, age or sector, research shows that firms who commit to innovation, R&D and foster agility within the organization are more prepared to adapt and stay competitive amid industry change.

“Preparing for disruption means fostering a corporate culture that encourages employees to be highly productive, take risks and collaborate for success,” said Perron. “Our new office space provides employees with the tools and space they need to work together to deliver innovative approaches to challenges facing our clients and our industry.”

Deloitte’s new office space in Montreal, designed by London, England-based architecture and interior design firm Arney Fender Katsalidis and by Montreal-based firm Lemay Michaud, recognizes the need to allow people to select from a variety of workspaces to suit their needs and wants. While most organizations offer three standard workplace options – the office, the workstation and the meeting room – Deloitte Montreal now offers more than 18 types of workspaces, from personal workstations, quiet rooms and workstations with a treadmill to collaborative workspaces, including ‘Flex Spaces’ like booths, open/semi-open ad hock meeting spaces and tables, and shared space hubs at key intersection points across the office. The office also includes social spaces like lounges, cafes, bistros and outdoor green space, a wellness centre that includes fitness facilities and change rooms, and a concierge desk that’s designed to create a welcoming mood.

“Allowing employees to socialize on the job and work in social settings encourages a strong sense of camaraderie and community,” said Perron. “Our approach not only helps our employees be more productive, it encourages them to build lifelong connections with each other by interacting in social spaces.”

Technology also plays a central role in the new workplace, enabling employees to stay connected and mobile, both inside and outside of the office space. Solutions like lighter laptops, secure Wi-Fi, and voice over IP instead of traditional phones allow employees to remain accessible no matter where they chose to work, and technologies like SMART Boards provide collaborative solutions that encourage innovation.

The workplace of the future also redefines what it means to be green and efficient. Flexible workspaces reduce an organization’s overall real estate footprint, allowing space to be used as needed, rather than only being occupied on average 45% of the time.

Additionally, Deloitte is proud to be the anchor tenant in the first major office project in Montreal to achieve LEED Platinum certification, featuring energy efficient lighting and cooling systems that help reduce overhead costs and emissions. Bike storage encourages employees to contribute to a sustainable future by riding to work instead of driving, and employees also have the power to control the temperature of their workstations by turning vents on or off based on their preferences.

Deloitte has been a proud member of the Montreal business community since 1858, when the company opened its first Canadian office. For more information on Deloitte’s approach to the workplace of the future, please visit: https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/misc/litetopicpage.MF-CA-Tags.workplace-of-the-future.html.

About Deloitte
Deloitte, one of Canada's leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Contact

Jeannie Tsang
Deloitte
Manager, Public Relations
416-643-8084/ 416-576-9016
jeatsang@deloitte.ca

Marilyne Plouffe
Deloitte
Co-ordinator, Public Relations
514-393-5471
mplouffe@deloitte.ca