Latest From HON
STAY IN TOUCH
Sign up to receive inspirational updates related to product enhancements and the latest workplace trends.
You know the old friend you haven’t seen in a while?
It’s time to catch up, get acquainted again and find out what’s changed in your lives since the last time you connected. And given 2020, a lot has happened.
Sounds normal, except this friend isn’t a human being—it’s your office.
After a year apart, the office (or classroom or clinic) will and should look different. If you’re in the planning stages of returning to the office and looking for guidance, you’re not alone: according to recent data, many companies in major cities are still at the “wait and see” point. Kastle Systems, in a study shared by the New York Times, found that under 20% of office space in New York and San Francisco was occupied at the end of February 2021.
As we entered 2Q, the national average was hovering around 30% occupancy for commercial office spaces. Just as in the past 12 months, we’re figuring this out as we go—but HON is here to help.
“Business as usual” is hardly usual anymore.
One learning is that we aren’t talking about a “new office,” we’re talking about a reimagined space.
We’re taking something that traditionally hasn’t seen much change and giving it a necessary and functional upgrade. We know from research that employees want to be heard, and when they offer feedback, it’s important to invest in it (i.e., take action). Even before the pandemic, workers showed interest in spaces that are inviting and collaborative, but also built for great work.
The West Hill collection and Astir Collaborative Work are two offerings from HON that bring new life to any space, and give employees the opportunity to enjoy environments built for how they work today. West Hill’s relaxed but refined lounge seating delivers a modern, elevated look, while Astir’s single and team-focused pieces create versatility for heads-down work or safely distanced collaboration.
The office should be designed for all types of work, and the same goes for learning environments, which are at their best when they’re functional and invigorating for students.
Aesthetics matter; who wants to work in a dull or uninviting space?
Research from Fortune, conducting its own internal study on returning to work, resulted in a plan for more “flexible and collaborative” work environments; the intent is to energize individuals and be mindful of the changing nature of work. It’s believed to be a healthy, long-term consideration for people and the business.
More importantly, it’s about making employees feel comfortable about being back at work. Many of the principles we identified in 2020 are still true in 2021.
“The biggest shift in the post-pandemic workplace will be a radical change in flexibility. People’s behavioral habits are going to be different, and the physical office must accommodate that in a forward thinking, creative way,” said John Harrison, design director at Gensler Houston.
“By taking this situation as an opportunity to give workers the flexibility they desire, I believe we will emerge with a blended workforce where some people will work from home, some will work in the office on certain days, and then many will transition back and forth between the two. As a result, technology will continue to be a huge pillar in our post-COVID-19 workplaces and even further impact how we work and learn.”
For space division and separation, HON offers solutions tailored for both individual and collaborative workspaces. One example: our Verse panels, durable and available in cleanable vinyl or laminate options for individual desks. We also offer mobile and freestanding screens, which can be applied in group settings or meetings to ensure distance and reduce the spread of germs.
Furniture is an investment—it should hold up to the long haul.
This is particularly important for collaboration and teaming environments, which will slowly be re-incorporated as conditions allow.
HON’s soft seating options—including task chairs, guest chairs and collaborative seating—can be customized and upholstered with easily cleaned fabrics and materials.
If you’re in a high-traffic area or your furniture will be frequently used (think of classrooms, guest rooms and waiting areas), regular cleaning is a must. You don’t want fabrics, materials or textiles that can’t withstand harsh, common-use cleaners.
For teaming stations, the same rules apply. Empower Benching, one of our most popular teaming solutions, includes cleanable fabrics and screens that provide ample distancing and safety.
As employees begin to be back at the office, it’s important that they mentally feel comfortable about the return. As an employer, you can send a message through products or space design that will help employees feel that comfort; a space that’s built for them will be a space they feel good about.
Many of the ideas we’ve covered have been implemented by our partners and customers around the country, and some have even been suggested by employees. In our experience, a collaborative effort is a successful effort.
When you’re ready to put your plan into action, the HON team is here to answer questions and identify the right products for your teams and workspace—many of which are available from our quick-ship HON NOW program. For more information, please visit roomplanner.hon.com.
Sign up to receive inspirational updates related to product enhancements and the latest workplace trends.