It’s almost been a year since the world entered a global pandemic. The impact on offices and urban centers has turned our industry nearly upside down. We’ve seen disrupted supply chains, vacant commercial real estate and the emergence of safety measures like physical distancing. So what is the value of office space anymore?
Actually, quite a lot. Yes, many companies have been surprised at how productive people can be while working from home. However, being together in an office feeds a need for togetherness. Most companies thrive when people can connect over a conference room table, working side-by-side at a white board or having a cup of coffee with a work friend.
It’s true that cloud computing, virtual private networks and computer software have kept organizations working a full capacity. But without in-person interaction, employee turnover can weaken social networks that thrive in the workplace. Most studies have shown that a 100% remote workforce is not a sustainable answer as initiatives impacted by collaboration, creativity and team management suffer.
Recent research has also shown that:
• 70% of employees are less productive at home than at work.
• 80% of Millennial and Generation Z employees feel less connected to their co-workers when working from home.
• 88-90% want to work in an office again.
So, how much space will your business need as workers migrate back into your office? Can you reduce the amount of square footage you need? Or do you actually need MORE space to accommodate new traffic flow patterns, physical distancing and open environments needed? These answers aren’t uniform. Each business has different needs to be factored in. In the past, interior workspaces could evolve simply by rearranging offices, purchasing new cubicles or freshening up color schemes. Today’s workspace evolution requires help from design experts. After all, you don’t want to spend more than you need to. At the same time, a wrong decision could cost you a lot.
Talk To An Office Design Expert
The design experts at Desks Incorporated are happy to provide a complimentary site visit or virtual visit to learn about the new needs of your workspace. Do you need disinfectant stations? Traffic flow signage? Reconfiguration of conference rooms or cubicles? We’re happy to help you find the right solution that will fit your budget.