Return to the Office Full Time or Not at All
What can an employer do to encourage and accommodate their employees’ return to the office?
Although certain high-profile CEOs (read: Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon) are outspoken proponents of an “inevitable” full-time return to the office, there are contrary examples of major companies exploring a nearly complete work from home model (3M, Airbnb, and Dropbox, to name a few).
In reality, the data clearly suggests that that the majority of business is increasingly conducted somewhere between these opposing extremes. Predating the pandemic and solidified by post-pandemic reality, we have seen an inevitable shift toward the hybrid work model.
With that in mind, let’s explore what all the major commercial design, real estate management firms, and commercial furniture dealers agree are optimal qualities and elements of today’s work environment.
The role of the office has changed.
Even pre-pandemic, the most innovative companies had already adopted hybrid work. Employees who have the freedom to work in and out of the office feel more positively engaged in their communities. Design and locate a workplace to encourage interaction with amenities within and surrounding it.
The most important functions of the modern office have been shown to revolve around time with co-workers and time for structured, focused individual work. Provide ample space for teamwork and socialization, as well as private spaces for those who require solitude to focus.
Work demands an ecosystem of spaces equipped for a myriad of activities.
Workers value options in the spaces available to them for completing various tasks, from one-on-one meetings to creative collaboration and brainstorming sessions. Create ground-floor common areas, outdoor areas, rooftop areas, and other spaces geared toward providing options for a variety of work activities. Areas with furnishings that can be readily reconfigured by the end user can increase these options and promote agency and creativity.
Investments in well-being are valued more than ever.
Prioritize safety and wellness with open, ventilated areas, outdoor working areas, natural light and biophilia, operable windows, shared walkways, open staircases, and ample options for either social connection or privacy.
Fostering equality and inclusion are critical – both in and out of the office.
Prioritize equity and inclusion when designing spaces, both in terms of accessibility and incorporation of the local community/employee identity and needs.
Elements and characteristics of the optimal hybrid workplace:
- Flexible shared spaces- in function and occupancy.
- Flexible offices/rooms – in function and occupancy.
- Welcoming and comfortable – home away from home, with amenities in and around the workplace.
- Interior neighborhoods, each with their own character and feel, both aesthetically and energetically.
- Collaborative – home can be good for head down work; office is best for community and creative, synergistic, interaction.
- Reconfigurable by end user.
- Aesthetically enhancing sound absorption, ideally including biophilic design.
- Application of technology to create more effective spaces – Top tier lighting, sound, and camera – offices and meeting rooms are becoming studios for broadcasting “phygital presence”.
- Easy access to public transportation, either by proximity or shuttle.
- Free or inexpensive parking.
- Wellness-both physical and mental.
- Emphasis on clean air and air filtration systems.
- Safety protocols, informed and enhanced by our pandemic experience.
- Demountable walls and acoustical treatments to make the space more inviting and flexible.
We all have an opportunity to affect change and our tool is the workplace.
To sum it all up, here’s a direct quote from the Gensler article that says it well:
“An opportunity to reimagine a better workplace
The pandemic has created fundamental shifts — not only for how people work, but for employee and employer priorities and expectations. The years to come will be about experimenting with new ways of working and piloting new space types and layouts, both in the office and working remotely. The purpose of the office will be about bringing people together to collaborate with teams, connect and build culture, but also to support individual work. Designers should use this time to create compelling destinations with an ecosystem of places to work.
This is not a time to return to old models, but rather, an opportunity to envision a new workplace — to rethink the purpose, mix of work activities and spaces, and the work experience to be more compelling and people-centric. Organizations can navigate this emerging new reality by creating inclusive, welcoming environments where people can come together with a renewed sense of belonging, where coaching and mentoring occur naturally, and where everyone can thrive” – Janet Pogue McLaurin
In San Francisco and many other major metropolitan areas, millions of square feet of fully furnished office space sits available on the sublet market. It will take a collaborative effort by the Commercial Real Estate Industry, Design community, and office furniture dealers to most effectively redeploy these spaces to meet the needs of today’s employee and employer.
We all have an opportunity to affect change for our employees and the best way to do that is in the workplace. The choices we make in designing and furnishing our workplaces show our investment in the wellbeing of our employees and the culture of our organizations.
“In conclusion, the reality is that in many major markets, SF included, there are millions of square feet of fully furnished office space available on the sublet market. It will take a collaborative effort by the Commercial Real Estate market, Design community, and office furniture dealers to determine how to most effectively redeploy these spaces to reflect the needs of today’s employee and employer.
We all have an opportunity to affect change for our employees and the tool we have at our disposal is the workplace. Can we communicate the vision of today’s workplace to our employees that the workplace decision we make are more than just real estate and facility costs, but instead investment in the well-being of our employees and the culture of our organization?”
References
Clingman, E. (9/21/22) Shared Spaces and Flexibility are Vital for the New Hybrid Workplace. The Business of Furniture. Pp. 14-21.
Janet Pogue McLaurin (5/2/22) Hybrid Is Here to Stay: 5 Considerations for Creating a Better Hybrid Experience. Full article appeared in WorkDesign Magazine and Wisp by Gensler.