With hybrid working here to stay, the office is no longer just somewhere ‘where work happens’. It needs to offer something employees can’t get at home, to entice them in, such as collaboration, connection, comfort, and focus.
But how do you provide this? We have curated a list of ways to designofices that employees want to work in below.
Start With How Employees Actually Work
To design around how employees actually work, look at their behaviour. Do they study and work in groups, or prefer individual-focused work? These factors influence how floor plans should be made by providing spaces where employees can work at their best.
To find out this information, you can share staff surveys or observe interactions in your office to see which areas employees are drawn to and which areas they don’t work in.
If you need help with space planning, our team can help uncover the best way to utilise your space.
Allow Areas For Different Types Of Work
Different employees find different methods best for working. To ensure you are enticing all employees back to the office, you should cater to a range of different working spaces.
Quiet Focused Areas
For concentrated and independent work, there should be quiet zones allowing employees to focus on their work. Quiet zones can include integrating acoustic solutions, meeting pods, and ergonomic chairs at desks to help employees work comfortably.
Collaboration Zones
For group work or sharing ideas, introducing collaboration areas lets employees seamlessly work together. The zones can be achieved through introducing large meeting tables, reconfigurable furniture, and breakout spaces.
Private Spaces for Video Calls
With the increase in hybrid working, there is an increase in Zoom/Teams video calls for meetings. Offering places for employees to take these meetings privately, such as phone booths and acoustic panels, encourages employees to take meetings in the office rather than working from home.
Prioritise Ergonomics and Comfort
If the office is less comfortable than working from home, then employees won’t choose to come in.
Investing in high-quality ergonomic office chairs, electric height-adjustable desks (allowing them to vary their posture throughout the day whilst maintaining their work duties), correct screen positioning, and proper DSE considerations ensures your team can work comfortably and safely. When employees feel physically supported, they’re far more likely to choose the office and perform at their best once they’re there.
Design for Wellbeing, Not Just Productivity
Encouraging employees back to the office is more than just about productivity. It can help to increase engagement amongst employees, leading to higher staff retention and reduced stress.
Designing for employee wellbeing can be done in many ways; increasing natural light in offices, biophilic elements (such as planters), calm colour palettes and breakout areas.
The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes we see is installing too many desks in an office space without enough collaboration space. This makes an office feel crowded, but it is often underused. Ignoring acoustics or buying cheap chairs which break within a couple of years can also undermine even the best lookig office fit-out.
Wondering Where to Start?
Are you thinking about refreshing your office space? We guide businesses through the entire process, from space planning and design to furniture selection and installation, making it simple and stress-free.
Contact us today by calling 0330 332 0880 or dropping us an email at projects@loveyourworkspace.co.uk to see how we can help you!
