Reimagining the office space

Jackie Furey at Crown Workspace gives her thoughts on how employers can make the office environment more attractive and reignite the fire that in-person collaboration can bring

 

As we move further into 2023 many people are still asking the when the world of work will go back to normal, but the new “normal” has already been with us for some time.

 

This shift has seen hybrid arrangements become a permanent fixture of our working lives, which holds many benefits. Apart from transport firms, it’s been well established that nobody wins from a two-hour commute each day. Additionally, more time at home has its advantages – you can take a Teams meeting in the comfort of your own home and have the flexibility to manage other commitments simultaneously.

 

That being said, there is certainly a conversation to be had about striking a balance. But what are we missing when working from home? Let’s investigate.

 

Today’s technology enables us to take meetings anywhere, but I still firmly believe in the value of face-to-face interaction. It comes down to body language – we have 43 muscles in our faces alone, and each one communicates critical information during an in-person meeting.

 

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “I have a webcam, they can still see my face”. This might be true, but the fact is that many of these little cues are simply not conveyed over a laptop screen. Furthermore, while small, these gestures can change the entire course of a meeting and affect its outcomes in ways a virtual call never would.

 

Aside from that, being in the office has other benefits. You can catch up with colleagues over a coffee, discuss your weekend adventures, or gloat over your favourite teams’ recent match success. These interactions are important – they release oxytocin, a “feelgood” chemical, into our brains.

 

There’s something else significant here – oxytocin is deeply tied to trust. Therefore, frequent interactions with your colleagues, even on the most casual basis, will help you build up a trusted relationship. It’s these relationships that form the bedrock of countless businesses.

 

So, we now know there are advantages to being in the office. But what can companies do to tempt their employees back?

 

Younger employees will be far easier to win over – they tend to be ambitious and eager to make an impression on management. Having those face-to-face interactions supports their learning and career development in ways that just can’t be achieved over a screen. What’s more, actually being there will give them that all-important chance to get noticed.

 

The real challenge will be convincing more seasoned employees to come back. Owing to their extensive experience, they know the ins and outs of their industry. For many within this cohort office life holds no real benefits at all. For this reason, you should focus the majority of your efforts on this group.

 

Let’s talk incentives: yes, free food and good coffee should definitely play a role, but they can’t be the be-all and end-all if you want to succeed. Instead, employers need something that just cannot be found at home. The question is, what?

 

With BYOD (bring your own device) culture firmly entrenched, many of us spent the pandemic period building the perfect home office; printers, premium office chairs and professional monitor setups were invested in. All of this equipment is simply superior to what is found in most offices. So, what can employers do to top it?

 

My advice is simple: don’t try. Instead, aim to replicate this space to turn your office into somewhere people want to spend time. Put in those fancy sofas, pleasant lighting and spaces for employees to chat, design the perfect brainstorming hub where ideas can float freely. You want to create a workspace that invites collaboration and stimulates your employees’ imaginations.

 

But this setup doesn’t just transform the office in the physical sense. Try and view this revamped space as somewhere to convene, catch up and hash out ideas – the more mundane tasks, such as catching up on emails or writing up reports, are equally important so provide heads down space for these tasks in your office as well as the ability to manage these from home.

 

This is to say that a healthy balance is possible and desirable. I’m not suggesting a full return to the office but spending two or three days a week there is great for your employees and your company. Of course, certain accommodations will need to be made – some employees may benefit from more office time, whereas others won’t be able to commit to more days. That said, getting the whole team together at least one day per week should be an attainable goal.

 

Very few people yearn for a return to the office full-time. However, striking the right balance holds many advantages for your employees and the company itself – it’s the best of both worlds. 

 

---

 

Jackie Furey is head of move and change management at Crown Workspace 

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com