Over the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the flexibility companies are willing to have for their employees. Since transitioning to a primarily hybrid work environment, companies are starting to rethink the office culture and what that means for office design. Navigating this new work environment can be a struggle, so it’s important to go straight to the source and ask your employees what they need for a productive and positive workspace.
As organizations try to get people back in the office and engaged with their coworkers, the question that comes to mind is, How? Designing different spaces that serve other purposes is a start. For example, collaboration stations, or offering quiet areas meant for employees who need to keep their heads down and work, or creating both collaboration and focus spaces. Whatever the design may be, it should fit the needs of that company’s employees.
It can be a struggle to figure out who is in the office and who is working remotely on days that everyone needs to meet. Instead of fighting that divide, we should embrace and expect that some employees may be attending virtually and some in person. Providing spaces that can help foster productive meetings with a hybrid team is an essential element in an office design.
While collaboration areas are important, quiet, tucked-away spaces are equally as critical. These spaces can cater to people who find themselves more productive in an environment less likely to have interruptions. Incorporating all of these different types of environments helps cater to the many different working styles a company’s employees inevitably have. It provides an inclusive environment and becomes even more reason to return to the office again.