McGill.CA / New Models of Work

New Models of Work pilot project

Why a pilot project?

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered our relationship with the workplace and the New Models of Work pilot project will be an important source of information to help McGill explore the concept of hybrid work. The NMWPO’s mandate is to take an in-depth look at how we can adopt new ways of working that best support the Mission of the University and deliver a hybrid remote-onsite model while fostering employee engagement, wellness, innovation, as well as attracting and retaining top talent.

The project aims to create training programs and materials to help employees with the transition, and to test the impacts of reimagined workspaces, technology. The project’s focus is on employee experience, engagement, wellness, and effectiveness from an individual or team perspective.

The NMWPO will:

  • Evaluate the changing needs of the administrative spaces and models at McGill in the context of the recent pandemic
  • Research what similar organizations have put in place to solicit best practices, while incorporating the University’s values of well-being, inclusion and diversity, sustainability and health and safety and offer employees a flexible work environment and culture shared workspace designed to support flexible ways of working. The space reflects a balance between individual and team needs to support work effectiveness. Approximately 70 workspaces—comprised of open-plan workstations, closed shared offices, soundproof phone booths, and lounge and collaborative areas — are available through a reservation system.
  • Identify different needs for diverse teams generated by hybrid work, and explore multiple possibilities in an enhanced and supportive environment to provide recommendations to the larger University population.

What is the pilot project?

The pilot project consists of a 790m2 shared workspace designed to support flexible ways of working. The space reflects a balance between individual and team needs to support work effectiveness. Approximately 70 workspaces—comprised of open-plan workstations, closed shared offices, soundproof phone booths, and lounge and collaborative areas — are available through a reservation system.

The project is also testing audiovisual equipment that allows hybrid meeting and promotes collaboration.

What are the pilot project's goals?

The pilot project is intended to:

  • Analyze the participants’ experiences using hybrid work arrangements
  • Understand what place hybrid work may have moving forward at McGill University.
  • Identify opportunities and barriers related to hybrid work arrangements.
  • Evaluate and measure the impact on environmental sustainability, effectiveness, and employee engagement.
  • Ensure that McGill University continues to have a vibrant campus for students, staff and faculty and that workplace flexibility enhances our culture.
  • Determine key considerations regarding scheduling and space capacity
    • Evaluate various ratios of on-site and off-site staff, prioritizing the needs of the community and operational outcomes.
    • Recommend how a new workspace reservation system can be configured to facilitate the integration of onsite ‘’team days.’’

Who is participating?

A diverse mix of participants enables knowledge exchange and the generation of ideas and solutions for the varied needs of teams. Approximately 100 participants from five administrative and support units, plus the NMWPO itself, are participating in the pilot project:

When does the pilot project take place?

The pilot project runs from October 2021 to September 2022.

Where does the pilot project take place?

The pilot project office is located steps from the McGill downtown campus, at 550 Sherbrooke West, suite 680. The office provide a great view of the Montreal cityscape and Mount Royal.

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