Ever since the pandemic, there has been a profound shift towards working from home, with research from 2023 showing that 44% of UK employees work from the comfort of their own homes. However, with the right mix of experiences in the office, employees express a willingness to return back to the office. An impressive 70% of Gen Z employees reveal they’re open to spending an extra day in the office, while 25% of millennials are open to returning to the office full-time. Office design experts at Studio Alliance have revealed how to make the office a place employees want to attend by crafting an environment that’s catered to the workforce’s expectations.
How to Craft an Office Environment to Fit Employee Expectations
1. Flexibility
The first step to designing a workplace that encourages office attendance is by acknowledging and accommodating employees’ diverse needs.
It’s important to incorporate flexible workspaces that allow for both individual and collaborative activities, as well as a variety of work settings. This way, you can give employees the autonomy to choose their preferred work environment, from quiet zones to more collaborative areas that encourage informal discussions.
2. Technological Integration
Ensuring the office is equipped with cutting edge technology is pivotal for both collaboration and connectivity.
Implementing tools that facilitate easy communication between remote and in-office teams, virtual meetings and brainstorming sessions is vital for the productivity and overall work experience for employees.
3. Wellbeing & Comfort
To encourage employees back to the office, it’s recommened to create an environment that prioritises wellbeing and comfort.
Consider ergonomic furniture, indoor plants and plenty of natural light to promote a healthy, creative and hard-working atmosphere. By having a positive environment, this will contribute to higher job satisfaction and will encourage employees to choose the office as their preferred work setting.
4. Community
Foster a sense of community and belonging in the workplace by developing spaces that encourage social interactions and team building activities.
Events, workshops and collaborative projects can help make the office feel like a place employees want to visit.
5. Personalised Experiences
It’s essential to recognise the diverse needs and preferences of different generations within the workforce.
Tailor the workplace to align with millennials, Gen Z and other demographic groups’ expectations. This will lead to more employee satisfaction and engagement if needs are being met.
It’s important to shape environments that adapt to both the changing dynamics of work and also inspire and motivate employees to choose the office as their preferred work setting. Now you know how to make the office a place employees want to attend, you can implement this into your workspace.
Studio Alliance is Europe’s first and only workplace alliance. Whether clients are undertaking a full global workplace analysis or simply refurbishing a local office, Studio Alliance members can support each project.