OK, so what do you think the office is really for?

What was once seen as a logical and efficient way of working has now been brought into question by the “work-from-home” / “return-to-office” tug-of-war which has broken out between employees and business leaders in many organizations.

So, to work out where we’re going – we first need to rewind.

From the 15th-century scriptoriums of medieval monks to the modern skyscrapers dotting urban landscapes, the ‘office’ has always been in a shifting state with innovations like artificial light, telephones, typewriters, elevators, and computers progressively reshaping the working environment.

Then came the lockdown. An abrupt shift that turned traditional office dynamics upside down. Those able to work from home found their productivity and job satisfaction often increased. Today, nine in ten jobseekers say hybrid work is now as important as financial benefits.

This shift challenges employers to rethink how office spaces can boost productivity while supporting employee well-being in remote settings. The strategy for this transformation focuses on policy, place, and purposeful leadership:

• Policy: Clear and well-communicated hybrid and remote work policies are essential. Define when employees need to be in the office and when they have the flexibility to choose. Transparency in policy-making fosters trust and loyalty.
• Place: Office space must cater to diverse needs. Some employees may need a quiet workspace every day, while others might prefer the office for collaborative tasks only once a week. Whether it’s a Superdesk for collaboration or cubicles for concentration, the office should accommodate various working styles.
  But beware! There is no ‘best way’ to do it – a recent study found that actively trying to make creative office spaces could be stifling creativity, whilst another discovered that changing from cubicles to open-plan saw a 70% drop in face-to-face interactions!
• Purposeful Leaders: Leaders play a crucial role in implementing these policies and ensuring the office space delivers value. Effective leaders highlight the benefits of coming to the office, promoting collaboration, and enhancing company culture. This can transform the office from a chore to a place employees are excited to be.

Employers must recognize the benefits of hybrid and remote work, leveraging these models to optimize productivity rather than viewing them as obstacles. The purpose of the office is evolving, and it’s time to lead this change.

We are here to help you navigate this transformation, optimizing organizational effectiveness in hybrid work, crafting policies, and coaching leaders to meet your company’s unique needs and those of your workforce. So, to continue this conversation, you can either head over to our contact page, or reach out to me directly at andy@orgshakers.com