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Welcome back to the office. It’s been a while!

Returning to a pre-pandemic work life feels a bit like going back to a destination we visited years ago. Many things are familiar, others look different and what lies ahead is somewhat unknown—mainly because we’re entering an entirely new era of work.

At its best, the office is a place for collaboration, camaraderie and inspiration. While much of that was upended in 2020, the road back has begun in earnest and companies are taking a variety of paths to welcome people to the office.

We’ve found the light at the end of the tunnel.

After one of the most challenging years in memory, the word “normal” now feels real. Perhaps no industry has been uprooted by COVID-19 like education, with virtual or socially distanced classrooms being implemented on a dime with little to no runway.

There was no playbook for what educators and students faced in 2020, but brighter days are ahead. The upcoming school year is ripe with excitement, catalyzed by the comfort of the way things used to be.

One universal truth emerged about work in 2020: the purpose and function of the office has changed.

Whether that’s a permanent change remains to be seen, but the immediate future of a once-constant presence in our working lives is cloudy at best. A flexible, hybrid workforce has made its voice loud and clear in support of a model that puts less focus on in-office work and more focus on choice.

It may sound simple, but the right chair will instantly upgrade any office space.

What’s more, great seating is actually part of a larger conversation about the future of work. Think about the last 12-15 months and how you and your employees’ work habits have changed; there’s a long list of pros and cons, likes and dislikes and what people appreciate about flexible work that they want to incorporate into their “normal” work environments.

It’s time to get back to work.

If you’re a business owner or manager, take note: the office should reflect the working environment in 2021. That means flexible and adaptive, with a variety of arrangements for different styles.

The truth is that many offices simply aren’t ready for it. In this blog, we’ll offer a few tips (and accompanying products) that will get yours on the right track.