The Workplace

The way we work has changed significantly over the last few years . While many of us still make the morning commute to HQ, we’ve shifted into a hybrid way of thinking about our environments. Some prefer the traditional five-day week in-office, while others enjoy multitasking from home one or two days a week. We’re even taking our laptops on the road and logging in from coffee shops and libraries—anywhere that offers a Zen place that supports our well-being.

While a percentage of employees remain remote, many of us have resumed our early morning commutes. But whether you’re in the office every day or enjoying a hybrid schedule, adjusting to life in the office after time away can be a challenge.

Why? Because the comforts of home are dependable and safe. Home-brewed java, cozy couches, peace and quiet. But something has been missing: Connection to one another. We’re craving well-balanced community spaces that bring us together.

We’ll level with you–2020 was a stressful year.

But with optimism for 2021 and what it may bring, we’re ready to move forward. Work took on a different look and feel a year ago, and now companies are preparing to bring people back to the office (and many already have).

In most cases, the word “productivity” has applied to your workspace, the furniture within it and how that space is set up.

After all, better work starts with a great space to work.

But there’s more to it—specifically in how you take care of yourself and your body throughout the day. Did you know that what you eat and when you eat can lead to a more productive, healthier workday? It’s true, and it’s easier than you think.

One of the most desirable aspects of a career is happiness.

It’s a loaded word, but in this context, happiness is more about employee satisfaction. For years, it’s been difficult to measure and understand—largely because many people don’t feel comfortable sharing their unfiltered, honest thoughts.

Nothing is more important than your health.

In our recent Think Space blog, we talked about setting goals and being ready for whatever 2021 has in store. A big part of reaching or achieving those goals is wellness, and when it comes to the workplace, that’s a multi-faceted topic.

If 2020 was the year of adapting to the home office, 2021 is the year of establishing a home office.

The traditional office offers many resources geared toward maximizing our time there. But now that many employees have the flexibility to work from home, they’re in need of a better space.

In turn, more companies are turning their attention to the future and how to best position their teams for healthier, productive work—from the comfort of home and no matter what the employee’s space looks like.

This year could mean the end of the white elephant gift exchange–and we’re not all that sad about it.

But with the holidays approaching in–let’s face it –very unusual times, we’re reminded that health and safety are Priority No. 1. We know you still want to celebrate with your teams, gather when it’s safe to do so, and enjoy the traditional delights of the season.

No matter your line of work, building and maintaining a network is a crucial component of a fruitful career.

According to research from Owl Labs, nearly 90% of professionals say that networking is one of the most important aspects to development. And in 2020, with 75 million employees holding a job that offers remote work, networking can be a challenge.

That’s before we consider a pandemic that has altered just about everything we associate with normal life.

“You have joined the meeting.”

Welcome to 2020, folks, where nothing is normal but “normal” looks different.

Working from home has prompted plenty of changes to our daily routines, some more easily adaptable than others. One work-in-progress aspect is how we meet, which has seen video conferencing companies become some of the fastest growing in the world.

We’ve mentioned this before, but “Zoom” has almost become a verb. It’s now part of what we do.