At-home workforces and hybrid offices require furnishings that promote productivity. Good news: HON has just what workers need—for either locale.

Even before the pandemic, the world was already shifting toward remote employees, with more than two-thirds spending at least one day every week working somewhere beyond the traditional office. Then 2020 shifted that trend into high gear.

What used to be called telecommuting is now mainstream, a trend that allows employees to work from both home and the office, and allows companies to attract top talent by offering more flexibility than in the past. (And without distance issues that once limited hiring prospects.)

Here’s how your organization can support the future of work by ensuring everyone has more than just the technology they need, but also furnishings that promote productivity and wellness wherever their office happens to be.

Featured Products: Solve® seating and Voi® desk

Eliminate distractions with dedicated space

Humans are hardwired for curiosity, and even the most conscientious employees can be easily distracted. Much like hot desking is now part of hybrid work culture, ideas on what defines the ideal workspace (at home or in the office) are evolving, with millions of former cubicle dwellers carving out dedicated spaces at home for more than just occasional use.

As noted by Jennifer Herrity, a career coach at Indeed.com, creating a separate space for work is essential. Whether it’s the quiet corner of an open area, or a spare room with a door to keep your toddler from stomping in during an interview (you know the one), boundaries are necessary to maintain focus.

The right desk sets the tone, with the right amount of space to spread out, or just enough to stay organized and on task. HON’s Voi series of desks offer a versatile palette of rich wood finishes or vibrant colors to match any decor. Durable work surfaces, a variety of legs, integrated cable management, and optional storage ensure there’s a desk that will suit every employee’s space and style.

Featured Products: Coze™ desk and Convergence® seating

Reduce Strain and Fatigue with the Right Seating

Choosing the right desk is only part of the solution. The term laptop is a misnomer given emerging research on the health consequences of using the devices for extended periods in postures and proximities that may have a detrimental impact.

Uncomfortable seating is also more distracting than most realize, and adversely affects productivity according to Alan Hedge, Ph.D, director of Cornell University’s Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory. Supportive seating relieves neck, spine, and muscle strain, but the best position to avoid fatigue is very individual.

That’s why a highly adjustable chair from HON can help remote workers find the right fit. HON’s Convergence task chair offers an attractive and affordable option with multiple points of adjustment and fabric choices. For an even more custom fit, consider Solve seating or Forbes’ best overall office chair, Ignition, with lumbar controls and our ReActiv back which flexes to provide continuous airflow and a firm fit.

Featured Products: Coze™ desk, Cliq™ seating, and Fuse™ storage

Create Routines That Support Remote Productivity

Few remote employees worried about whether their workspaces were “camera ready” just a few short years ago. Now backdrops are a phenomenon, but shouldn’t be an added point of stress.

Moving your workspace closer to a window does more than enhance your online meeting appearance. Research reveals natural light improves mood, energy, and alertness, even our immune health. Attire also impacts more than the perception of peers. A study from Northwestern University found employees perform tasks better when dressed based on their own perception of professional dress. Save sweatpants for the gym or pajamas for the weekend and treat your home office the same as any office.

The same professional attitude extends to storage. The right desk and chair deserve better than a cardboard filing box. HON’s Fuse pedestals in freestanding, mobile, or undermount models provide a sleek solution for staying organized and ensuring everyday essentials are always within reach.

Featured Products: Flock™ and Grove®

Bring the Comforts of Home to Hybrid Office Environments

As much as remote work may have been appealing for many employees, the opportunity to return to the office at least part-time is increasingly in demand. From informal strategy sessions to professional mentoring, sometimes virtual meetings still fall short.

A survey by workplace platform provider Envoy of 800 industry leaders worldwide found only 15 percent of companies have returned to in-office occupancy comparable to pre-pandemic levels. More than two-thirds have opted for hybrid environments, accompanied by incentives and amenities that encourage the social interactions and engagements employees miss most. So fresh, accommodating common spaces are a must.

Though the couch isn’t a substitute for a proper chair and desk when working from home, hybrid workplaces are offering more casual and inviting community spaces. HON’s Grove line of lounge inspired seating is as stylish and comfortable as it is durable. Available in multiple sizes, fabrics, and colors, make your common areas a destination for collaboration.

As much as dressing up a bit at home may improve how you perform tasks, dressing for function over formality in the office can do the same. News outlets across the globe, from Forbes, to the BBC and Harvard Business Review are predicting a continued decline in formal dress at the office, and many businesses are embracing the change. Casual Friday is fast becoming casual everyday.

Featured Products: Coordinate™ height-adjustable desk, Matter™ seating, and Fuse™ storage

Avoid unhealthy habits Working solo, despite regular collaboration with peers, can still prove isolating. Without the social rituals of an in-person office, it’s easy for counterproductive, even unhealthy habits, to take hold.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found sedentary work is a significant risk factor in early death, and the less time we spend sitting, the lower the risk. A Harvard study found those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least five days a week, had 43 percent fewer sick days versus those who only exercised occasionally.

But you don’t need a water cooler or even to leave your desk to make movement a part of your routine. HON’s Coordinate desks offer the right height for sitting or standing. Looking for the versatility of a sit-to-stand desk without the size? Try our Coordinate desktop riser with keyboard tray instead.