FRONT OF HOUSE
remote workers report lower levels of stress compared to working in an office environment and removing the cost, stress, and time commitment of commuting can make remote work incredibly appealing. So, how can employers promote office use?
Some employers, particularly those in the tech sector, have tried to force employees back into the office but this has prompted backlash which most companies would prefer to avoid. After a difficult period in which employees have shown great loyalty to their employer and during a time in which recruitment and retention are difficult, demanding employees return to the office may not be a good way to retain talent and foster respect. Rather, offering flexibility will be key but incentivising time spent in the office will benefit employer and employee alike.
Creating a workplace for the future The workplace of the future will be a place to connect and make the most of spending time together rather than for focusing on individual work. Leading commercial real estate companies suggest that individual workspaces could take up as little as 30% of future workplaces. The remainder of the space will be for connecting and agile work in its various forms.
This change in space use will bring both opportunities and challenges. Organisations that are decreasing the space they dedicate to individual workstations will have space to play with and this space can become key in drawing employees to the office. Events and workplace benefits like quick and accessible tech support and helpful front of house staff will elevate the office above any at-home workspace.
The employee experience will be at the heart of drawing people back, so it has to run smoothly – from the daily comings and goings to one-off events. Certainly, there is some incredible technology that is being used to make the workplace run seamlessly but it will be front of house staff that make the real difference. This is especially true if your business is looking to create a more agile and engaging workplace, hosting events and promoting connections.
From floor captains to concierges, there should always be a friendly face to turn to for support or a last-minute change of plans. Building a good relationship with floor teams can mean they know how to support employees before a problem arises. Friendly interaction from these teams promotes weak-tie connections and puts employees in the mood to connect with others; they set the scene from the moment someone arrives in the office. For those still recovering from the pandemic and unused to being in busy shared environments, someone to reassure them could make the difference between coming into the workplace and staying at home.
Such change also poses a challenge. After 18 months or more of turbulence and stress over health, work, and loved ones, more change can be unwelcome, even if it offers significant improvements in the long term. Front of house teams will be key in ushering in these changes.
Changes are, of course, inevitable after Covid. For organisations not looking to utilise their spare space,
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downsizing is an option. Others will be imposing increased health and safety restrictions. However big or small the changes, walking into an office that is at once familiar and different can be disconcerting. A help desk or friendly concierge service will be help employees to settle in and learn how to make the most of an agile workings style.
The reality is that after so much limitation on personal interaction, putting a human face to our day-to-day is going to be the most appealing approach to the workplace. A sociable and collaborative environment will offer something that an at-home workspace cannot. But to achieve this, the workplace must be engineered to facilitate such work. Working closely with front of house and floor teams to align priorities and curate an inclusive and creative culture sets the scene for an appealing and successful workplace.
www.portico.com TOMORROW’S FM | 39
“Leading commercial real estate companies suggest that individual workspaces could take up as little as 30% of future workplaces.”
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