Over the past year and a half, many office employees have grown accustomed to working from home. In fact, one in five people now want to work from home full time once the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is over, according to research published by YouGov in September 2020.
It’s now up to employers to create both an office space and an office culture that encourages employees to be engaged and enthusiastic about going back to the office.
The space that employers create in an office is also more important now more than ever to make employees feel like part of a solid, collaborative team. It is one of the most important and difficult tasks leaders have at the moment, alongside promoting staff wellbeing. Being transparent, prioritising inclusion, encouraging ownership and celebrating every win where possible are also key.
To encourage engagement and incentivise people to leave home, employers must create a space that’s comfortable, modern and ergonomic. Now is the time to invest in meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, and break-out areas. Create a space that is both welcoming and vibrant, so staff will be excited about coming into work.
Employers can show staff that they are prioritising their wellbeing by investing in them and their space, and ensure they make it clear that they are open to take on feedback and opinions on how to improve work culture.
When people feel comfortable and employers create a culture and a space that is creative, collaborative and dynamic, people will feel empowered to do their jobs and be more engaged at work.
Mark Taylor is managing director at Office Furniture Online