While many Americans have been back in the office for a few years, remote work has been pervasive despite relaxed COVID-19 precautions and reduced infection rates. That said, major companies, like JPMorgan and Chase, Meta, Amazon, and Disney, have started to call their entire workforce back to the office full-time, so updating infrastructure, purchasing additional workstations, and renting more square footage is a pressing need.
If you plan to follow suit, these tips can help you stay on top of the most critical back-to-office design considerations.
If you have ample notice before you call your workforce back to the office or you’re considering a move, we always recommend talking to the people it’s most likely to affect. Ask them what they’ve missed while working at home and what accommodations may make it easier to transition back to full-time office work.
You can send out an e-mail survey, ask managers to host one-on-ones with their reports, or host a town hall-style meeting to learn more about what your employees want.
The newest technology excites everyone. Bring in high-definition monitors, offer new laptops, and audit all other technology, including printers, presentation tools, and electronic workstation components, to ensure they’re up-to-date and working properly before people depend on it daily.
Don’t forget the pantry, bathroom, or reception areas! Updated coffee machines, water filters, hand dryers, and security features can greatly boost employee morale and warmly welcome visitors.
Comfortable workstations that center ergonomics are known to improve focus and productivity. When employees have supportive working environments, their bodies endure less strain, reducing sick days and discomfort throughout the workday.
Choose high-quality furniture, like Herman Miller, with a long legacy of designing products that employ the latest advancements in ergonomic technology.
Sometimes, trial and error is the best policy, so don’t be afraid to move pieces around and reiterate as you get into a workflow in the office. Chances are your workforce will expand and contract as your needs evolve, and it’s important to adapt to them. Optimizing your workplace takes practice and data, which you might not have until everyone has returned to the office for a few weeks.
In addition to adaptable workstations, it’s vital to create multi-purpose spaces within the offices. Can your kitchen area double as a change of scenery for morning all-hands meetings? Can you add lounge seating or small collaboration stations in unexpected spaces? Have you considered soundproof pods for deep focus and private meetings?
Flex spaces allow your workforce to get maximum value out of your space.
Hosting events, like before-work yoga, lunch and learns, and after-work Happy Hours, can build the team and grow a positive association with the office. When teams get to know each other in less formal settings, it can build rapport and improve collaboration, making it easier to troubleshoot projects and crowdsource ideas.
Whether you’ve been in a fully remote or hybrid workplace, bringing employees back to the office is a big transition. At Benhar Office Interiors, we understand the delicate nature of designing an office that welcomes everyone without detracting from function or style. Rely on us to guide you to an office design that inspires those working in it daily.
Interested in learning more about our NYC furniture design services? Let’s chat.