The arguments for a mass return to the office have largely been debunked after a growing body of evidence from around the world shows that by almost every metric – productivity, wellbeing, staff retention and even collaboration – hybrid working is a viable alternative.
It’s a tough road though as employees save themselves money ($’000s annually potentially) and time when they’re working at least part of the time from home. Why would an employee be motivated to spend more and lose personal time to return to an office? This question often doesn’t get answered unless the answer is somewhat skewed towards the requirements of the firm. Even more effective collaboration is really all about the work, not the people.
A recent article mooted that an office return could help solve the growing crisis in commercial real-estate, or regenerate inner-city locations and the retail and food businesses that are based there. But again, these are not issues that the average employee is going to be overly concerned with.
In terms of unused real estate, firms are trying to remove themselves from the situation. But getting out of lengthy and binding contracts is difficult, potentially costly and knowing what space is going to be required in three, five or more years’ time worries bosses – especially those still pushing the RTO agenda. They don’t want to find themselves with too little space should the trend reverse at some point soon.
1 - But why bother trying to remove space? Why wouldn’t you simply use the extra space to create a better workplace? After all, often this is one of the core issues employees have with the office, vs what they have at home. Space, flexibility, room to move and manoeuvre. If that was available in their place of work, it would be one more reason to return.
2 - Being together is highly biophilic: we're living things, just another part of a natural world. Some of the downsides of the work from home revolution are loneliness, loss of connection, relationships, shared experience, friendships even. Strangely though, these aspects don’t often form part of the argument for a return.
3 - Imagine the power of an argument that shines a light on these human aspects linked with a workplace that has space aplenty. That has furnishings that allow employees the flexibility to stretch out, curl up, huddle in comfort, lie-down, get away from noise and people, or get closer, move from spot to spot as the mood takes them?
A creative approach to utilising the unused space in offices is required. Consideration should be shown for zoning, comfort, acoustics, privacy, character and ways of working. If the cost of refurnishing a space is a concern, then the cost of amending real estate contracts should be weighed up. It’s almost certain one will far outweigh the other.
Pieces from pln. such as Camber, Keystone and Colosseum offer flexibility and modularity that will let you account for changes over time. Whilst acoustic pods can be configured for privacy or collaboration and, with the overhead addition of acoustic lighting (HUSH or Nectar) can form isolated, cosy pockets around your space that employees will love.
Sofas will have the room to breathe in this new-look office and add that little piece of home employees will relish. Mobile whiteboards – Tribal and Roam – as well as room dividers from the acoustic Backdrop range let you break up the office space as needed.
So, think ‘human’ in your office space and for your working strategy and embrace the future of work with both arms.
It's tempting to think of unused space as wasted. But actually it should be viewed as an opportunity to create something new for your employees. Using company-centric arguments to get them back to the office are doomed to failure. With a human-first approach this new style of work will reap benefits for employees and companies alike.
