The pandemic has significantly reshaped employees' expectations, leading organisations to rethink their workplace strategies. Prior to the crisis, workplace design was already evolving, but the pandemic accelerated the need to address new challenges. Steelcase's research outlines four key shifts for creating safe and effective workplaces that foster engagement and productivity.
Safety is now a primary concern for employees returning to the office. Organisations must adopt a comprehensive approach to safeguard employees, considering varying needs related to age, health, and physical abilities. While pre-pandemic safety focused mainly on occupational health standards, the current climate demands strategies to mitigate disease transmission. This involves establishing clear protocols for mask-wearing and social distancing and understanding how airborne pathogens move through spaces. Implementing these measures will prepare organisations for potential future crises.
To enhance safety, organisations should improve air quality by adjusting HVAC systems to manage humidity, filtration, and air movement. Outdoor spaces, when feasible, can be utilised for both work and relaxation, reducing health risks. Flexible floorplans should be employed to meet density requirements, adapting to changes post-pandemic. Reconfiguring desking and adding workstation screens can help maintain safety by limiting exposure, and using durable, easily cleanable materials will meet new hygiene standards. The visibility of cleaning practices and the provision of hand sanitiser and wipes are essential, as is the integration of sensor technology to monitor space usage. Hands-free devices and personal control over workspace boundaries are further measures that can enhance safety.
Pre-pandemic offices prioritised efficiency, often at the expense of individual work needs, especially in open-plan environments. Now, organisations must create flexible spaces that support both collaborative and focused work. The workplace should facilitate seamless transitions between individual and group activities to foster innovation.
Effective collaboration spaces equipped with the right technology are essential, as is ensuring virtual participation for remote workers. Privacy is also crucial, with workplaces needing to provide areas where employees can control visual and acoustic disturbances. Movement has been shown to stimulate creativity and engagement, so spaces should enable physical mobility and the movement of tools like whiteboards and digital devices.
A visually appealing workplace has long been an asset for attracting talent, but now, creating a sense of community is essential. Many employees have felt isolated during remote work, making the office a vital place for social connection and a sense of belonging. Research highlights that people want to return to the office to interact with colleagues, finding video calls insufficient for overcoming loneliness.
The office should promote vitality with a vibrant atmosphere, respect inclusivity by accommodating various work styles, and facilitate transparent communication to build trust. Resilience should be a core element, reinforcing the workplace as adaptable and ready for future challenges. Organisations should also demonstrate commitment to environmental and social values, aligning with employees' expectations for responsible practices.
Traditional office spaces, often fixed and hard to adapt, pose challenges during disruptions like pandemics. Moving forward, workplaces must be designed for adaptability, supporting varied work styles and flexible work policies. This involves creating spaces that can be reconfigured as needed.
Flexible architectural elements, such as moveable partitions, allow for multi-use spaces. Areas should be designed to cater to different work modes—e.g., a café transforming into a collaboration space or a training room becoming a meeting area. Furniture that can be rearranged easily, such as mobile whiteboards and desks on casters, will support changing needs and distancing requirements.
As organisations adapt to post-pandemic needs, old workplace planning models must evolve. The new approach must address diverse requirements, balancing individual and team work, and integrating physical and digital experiences. Steelcase has identified several design principles to guide this transformation:
Balancing individual and collaborative work is vital for creativity. Moving away from permanent designs to more flexible, mobile spaces. Providing a mix of open and private settings to suit different work preferences. Leveraging technology to support remote and in-person interactions, integrating AI and data-driven solutions to create inclusive experiences.
Overall, workplace design must shift from solely attracting talent and promoting efficiency to encompassing safety, productivity, community, and adaptability.
More information:
Steelcase
www.steelcase.com