CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deskpass, one of the largest networks of on-demand, flexible workspaces, today announced plans to merge with Breather, a subsidiary of Industrious, the highest-rated flexible workplace company in the world. The merger expands Deskpass’s workplace solutions and network, supporting the shift toward hybrid work and bridging the gap between companies that prefer their employees to return to the office and employees who prefer the flexibility of working from home. Instead, employees can now have greater access to convenient workspaces, reducing the time they spend working from home and easing employer concerns.
"Over the past two years, Deskpass and Breather have both experienced a more than tenfold surge in bookings, revolutionizing how thousands of companies approach workspace flexibility," said Sam Rosen, CEO of Deskpass. "Collectively the Deskpass and Breather brands have supported over 500,000 flexible workspace reservations. As we operate Breather in partnership with Industrious, we're poised to further accelerate this growth, bringing innovative, on-demand workspace solutions to the forefront of real estate strategy."
The demand for hybrid work arrangements or alternatives to 5-day-a-week in-office policies has continued to normalize in the years following the pandemic. In its annual State of Hybrid Work 2023 research Owl Labs found that 66% of companies are mandating in-office work, while only 22% of employees are happy with the in-office work style. This divide results in only 41% of employees saying they would comply with the mandate without complaint, while 22% would return but be unhappy, 31% would return and start but start looking for a new job, and 6% would quit entirely.
While some companies continue wasting time by requiring employees to come into the office, against the wishes of nearly three-fifths (59%) of their employees, others have avoided this conflict by using marketplaces such as Breather and Deskpass. These solutions provide employees and teams with immediate access to extensive networks of third-party flexible workspaces, including desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. This eliminates common objections to return-to-the-office demands such as longer commutes, reduced autonomy, distracting work environments, inadequate technology, and more.
"We are excited for this merger, and to partner with Deskpass in reshaping the future of the workplace," said Jamie Hodari, CEO and co-founder of Industrious. "Employees want flexibility and more than anything, they want choice. Deskpass & Breather give employees the choice of where to work, from a few hours in a secluded spot, to on-demand access across entire metro areas. When companies incorporate flexible solutions like Deskpass and Breather into their overall office network strategy, they get happier employees who are more productive and collaborative when it truly counts."
“So much time, energy, and anxiety have been wasted in the return-to-work debate because home and office are seen as the only options,” said Evan Fain, General Manager of New Ventures at Industrious “By simply adding Deskpass & Breather’s on-demand, flexible workspace network as the third option, companies instantly get the facetime and collaboration they want, while employees get the shorter commutes and greater personal control they embraced during the pandemic.”
Jamie Hodari and Evan Fain will both join the Deskpass Board of Directors.
About Deskpass
Deskpass is a Work From Anywhere solution for companies with remote distributed teams. Through our network of thousands of workspaces worldwide, we provide on-demand desks, meeting rooms and private offices by the hour, day, week and month. There’s no setup or monthly fees – it’s purely pay as you go. More information at deskpass.com.
About Industrious
Industrious’ private offices and suites — the highest-rated workspaces in the industry — provide the most sustainable option for companies to manage newly distributed teams for the long term. We make it easy to find an office that works for you — even if you come in just once or twice a week. Recognized as one of America’s 500 fastest-growing companies in 2020 by Inc. Magazine, Industrious offers flexible terms at nearly 200 locations in more than 65 markets globally. For more information, visit industriousoffice.com.
