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How do you and your coworkers feel about coming back to the office?
Anxious, excited, maybe a little afraid of losing some freedom? Not eager to commute again, or stare at a cubicle wall under fluorescent lights all day?
Whether you’re ready to go back or not even remotely looking forward to it, odds are you’ll be heading to the office full time, part time or in a hybrid model. As companies gear up for another change in how (and where) we work, it’s important to consider what’s weighing on workers’ minds everywhere.
Several recent surveys and studies give us an idea. Eden’s Workplace Return to Office Study found that 52% of workers want to return to socialize with their colleagues, something they’ve sorely missed during the pandemic, and overall, 89% of millennials want to return to work.
There’s a general sense of enthusiasm, but there’s reluctance, too.
Envoy found that 48% of those surveyed value flexibility and more lenient scheduling. It’s now what workers are used to, and returning full time to the office means they likely won’t be able to replicate what they have at home.
One way to ease that transition? It’s the office itself.
Not only has working from home become normal, but also employees have become used to customizing their own spaces. What they didn’t like about their former office space could be remedied at home, and that’s part of the expectation when they return.
This is the time to think about redesigning your space to spark excitement, and make it a place where employees enjoy working and feel like they’re both safe and can do their best work. A study by Armstrong revealed that employees have high expectations for employers as they return to the office—84% of workers “expect their employer to deliver a workspace that supports personal wellbeing,” whether that’s design, natural elements like light and plants or being more active in the CSR (corporate social responsibility) space.
They believe that “investing in a more holistic approach to the workspace is an essential step in the race for top talent,” and the office is an asset.
If you’re asking yourself how much office design truly affects employee happiness, well-being and engagement, consider this:
A study known as The Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace polled nearly 8,000 employees in 16 different countries. The results were pretty clear: what employees used to value in their employer has changed. They want a commitment to a healthy, safe and inviting workspace—one that accommodates all types of work.
It’s imperative to hire (and retain) skilled employees, so you can imagine how important it is to understand what they want from an office.
“If the interior design of an office considers the occupants [by] creating both breakout space and social space ... improvements are found in concentration, collaboration, confidentiality and creativity.”
—Global Impact of Biophilic Design in the Workplace Study
The future of work is no longer the future; it’s here, and workspaces themselves—good and bad—are influencing how people make decisions on where to work. The appearance of the office plays a vital role. After all, who wants to work in an office that doesn’t inspire them to be their best?
Colors and aesthetic, furniture, accessibility and flexibility all work together in making the office a place that employees want to work. Plus, these are all things that people could control at home—meaning, it’s now imperative to attempt to replicate them in the office.
Quality furniture is a game-changer. It can give any office a fresh, inviting and inspiring look.
HON has office furniture solutions ideal for any business, whether it’s a small business, large urban office or a hub-and-spoke/satellite suburban office. For example, we know that employees want flexibility, and an option like Astir™ Collaborative Work creates individual or “together” workspaces that are modern and appealing.
West Hill™ is also an ideal choice to give the office a “home-like” vibe, with stylish furniture for individual inspiration or comfortable collaboration.
In addition, the recently launched Ignition® 2.0 with Colorwav™️ is a fun update to one of our most popular seating collections. With a Designer White frame and five new lumbar colorways, the bright, inspiring options can bring customized vibrancy to any office.
Thinking outside the box to create an energetic and desirable workspace doesn’t have to be complicated. (We’re here to help!)
A strong culture is lifted up by employees who want to come to the office, in large part because they feel it’s a space where they can enjoy themselves. But creating a work environment that they’re excited about also requires their input.
Having a variety of spaces that allow employees to work away from their desks, whether individually or with a group, is on the “wants” list. A modern, mood-lifting aesthetic is important, too.
Culture, communication and a thoughtfully designed workspace are interconnected. HON’s robust selection of furniture solutions can help you build a space for great work, great culture and a healthier business in the post-COVID world.
To learn more about HON’s furniture solutions and how your office can become a destination for better work and well-being, visit hon.com to find a dealer that is ready to help.
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