How do you excite a workforce while telling them they have to return to the office?
But first, why are so many companies asking their work-from-home employees to return-to-office? Because of their fading company culture.
- While employees love WFH for its flexible hours and time saved not commuting, eventually company culture deteriorates from the lack of shared face time and experiences, which increases employee turnover, harms productivity and increases rehiring costs.
- It’s a struggle to reinforce company culture in an empty office. Remote workers, who only see a computer screen, live in a cultureless vacuum. Even if employees come to the office 1 to 2 days a week, they are rotating around each other’s schedules, and thus not connecting with each other.
- Company culture is made by the people who work there. While there is some momentum from veteran employees, as they retire and leave, the culture can shift.
You need people in the office to constantly re-create and reinforce your positive company culture. Where employees come to trust each other. Where people feel connected, valued, and motivated. Where teams are more productive, and employee retention rises.
Branded Interiors Create a More Appealing Workspace
So then how do you encourage employees to RTW? While some companies are mandating employees return, that risks losing top performers.
Instead, upgrade your workspace. Make it so appealing, employees prefer it to WFH. With enhancements that make your workspace more collaborative, social, and meaningful, such as:
1. Collaborative Spaces
Want to nurture stronger teams? Give your employees more choices of rooms designed to facilitate better collaboration, like:
- Meeting Rooms and Huddle Areas: Well-equipped meeting rooms and smaller huddle spaces facilitate both formal meetings and impromptu collaborations.
- Project Rooms: Dedicated spaces for project teams to work together for extended periods, fostering in-person collaboration and team cohesion.
- Open Collaboration Areas: Flexible spaces with comfortable seating and whiteboards to encourage brainstorming and informal discussions.
2. Social Spaces
Want your employees to evolve from coworkers to colleagues? Give them spaces that facilitate connection and camaraderie, including:
- Event Spaces: Larger spaces designed for hosting company events, team celebrations, and social gatherings, like happy hours, help boost a sense of community.
- Enhanced Break Rooms: Upgraded break areas with comfortable seating, games, and amenities encourages employees to socialize and take breaks together.
- Cafes and Lounges: Inviting social spaces like coffee bars or comfortable lounges allow employees to relax, eat, and connect with colleagues.
3. Well-Being Spaces:
Want your employees more relaxed and productive? Give them spaces that help relieve stress and boost their ability to focus:
- Wellness Rooms: Provide dedicated spaces for employees to de-stress, meditate, or take a quiet break from work.
- Fitness Centers/Gyms: On-site fitness facilities improve health, reduce stress, and enhance employee engagement.
- Outdoor Spaces: Outdoor workspaces, patios, and greenways provide space where employees can work or socialize while rejuvenated by nature.
4. Branded Interior Spaces:
Want your employees to align with your company mission? Immerse them within branded environments in the spaces described above and more, that portray key elements of your company culture, achievements, and direction:
- Mission and Values: When employees and potential employees feel your company aligns with their own sense of values, they become far more loyal and dedicated.
- Company History: Help employees understand your company roots and hardships overcome by sharing your major milestones and achievements.
- Company Products: Build displays that show how your products solve key customer problems, so workers from all departments understand how you help the world.
Downsizing Corporate Spaces Spurs New Branding Opportunities
Some companies are downsizing within their existing footprints or moving to smaller spaces to reduce their facility overhead. Due to this physical change, they’re asking their workforce to return to the office part-time while maintaining WFH part-time (for example, M/W/F versus T/TH in-office days). The downsize or move precipitates architectural changes and this allows for new branding opportunities.
Entice Workers Back to Your Office
Make your workspace more appealing to employees than their home offices, by giving them workspaces that help them collaborate, socialize, rejuvenate, and connect with your company and their colleagues.
Interested in learning more? Holt Experiential is eager to help you transform your workspace into a more enticing facility that attracts and motivates your employees. Give us a call or contact us to get started.