Back to office: Back to the office without pressure
Answers to the challenges of a modern working world
Since the years of the pandemic, many employees have become accustomed to the benefits and convenience of working from home. As a result, many do not really want to return to the office or have positive associations with it.
What is needed now is not persuasion, but forward thinking and innovative office concepts. Because in future, the office environment must be worthwhile in comparison to the home office and be geared towards what the home office offers in order to make the return to the office a success.
Home office vs. office
For employees to feel comfortable, they need a place to work that is tailored to their individual needs. It doesn't matter whether this place is the home office or the office. Work is no longer tied to a fixed location, but an activity that can be carried out flexibly and from any location. This development is confirmed by a large number of studies and surveys, which show that the majority of employees prefer and value hybrid working models. A return to exclusively office-based work seems increasingly unlikely and undesirable.
“Work is an activity, not a place”
Turn office space into a professional home:
Um den Mitarbeitenden im Büro ein Gefühl von Geborgenheit zu geben, bedarf es genau den Plätzen, Räumen und Möglichkeiten, die sie auch zuhause haben. Denn nur so gewinnt die Arbeit vor Ort an Bedeutung, und man pendelt wieder gerne zwischen Zuhause und Arbeitsort.
GOOD TO KNOW:
According to a global survey* by JLL, 73% of all office workers want workplaces that are adapted to their individual needs and promote their own well-being.
*Source: JLL, Worker Preferences Barometer, 2021
Back to office: what you should look out for
When returning to the office, you as an employer should bear a few points in mind. As strict guidelines, such as fixed attendance times, can often lead to frustration and demotivation, the focus should be on employee flexibility. This also includes the introduction of hybrid working models, as insisting exclusively on office presence ignores the advantages of flexible working methods, which are of great importance during the back-to-office phase.
Clear communication about the reasons for returning to the office is also crucial. Unclear or lacking information can cause mistrust. It is also important not to neglect employees' individual needs - be it in terms of commuting times, family commitments or health concerns. Finally, the working environment must be attractive and up-to-date, as an outdated or uncomfortable office offers little incentive to return after the experience of working from home.
Step by step back to the office
“We need to relearn the office”
In order to use the office as effectively as possible today, new structures are needed. Communication, space and technology all need to be rethought and revised so that the office of the future can compete with a home office. This optimization can take place in three steps:
Step 1: Develop a hybrid strategy
The first step is to develop a clear hybrid strategy. Companies need to ask themselves: Why do employees come to the office in the first place? It's about redefining the meaning and purpose of office work. The office should not just be a place where people work, but a space that is used specifically for certain activities and interactions. This approach helps to make office presence meaningful and to use working time effectively.
Step 2: Designing the space
The second step is to translate this strategy into the physical space. If the office is seen as a communication tool, the space must be designed accordingly to encourage collaboration and exchange. Open work areas, flexible seating and dedicated zones for different ways of working are examples of how an office can be designed to create a productive and pleasant working environment. The space should reflect the type of work that needs to take place there, while providing a conducive environment for returning to the office.
Step 3: Using the right tools and technologies
The third step is to implement the right tools and technologies to support the hybrid way of working. When the office is no longer the sole place of work, it needs to be complemented by digital tools that enable seamless communication and collaboration. Video conferencing systems, collaboration tools and cloud solutions are crucial to ensure the connection between remote and on-site teams. These technologies need to be user-friendly and reliable to maximize productivity during the back to office phase.
Conclusion
The return to the office offers a great opportunity to reshape the world of work. Instead of constraints and rigid guidelines, the focus should be on flexibility and modern, hybrid working models that combine the best of both worlds. The office of the future must not just be a place to work, but an inspiring space that is used specifically for creative collaboration and exchange.
With cleverly designed workspaces, innovative technologies and an ambience that offers real added value compared to working from home, the office can become a dynamic center for team spirit and productivity - a working environment that inspires rather than restricts. This is the only way to ensure a successful return to the office in the long term.
Are you ready for the office of the future?
Would you like to implement a hybrid office concept in your company? Then arrange a non-binding consultation now! We will help you to implement an office concept that is precisely tailored to the needs of your company and your employees.
We look forward to hearing from you!
