When you think of a workspace, you may be picturing small cubicles stacked together in an enclosed space. While this was true for a time, most businesses are shifting away from traditional workspace setups to more modern and effective ones. A drastic change such as this one not only looks after employees ensuring they’re comfortable while they work but also cuts down maintenance. The Covid-19 also accelerated the need for alternate workspaces by introducing the tech-savvy option of working from home.
Most enterprises observed that remote working enhanced productivity reduced office utility bills, and made running an organization more manageable. To funnel efficiency globally, companies are considering alternate workspaces, following 5 design basics of a productive office space. Renowned organizations like Facebook (Meta) and Google are already leading the change by creating healthy spaces and eradicating traditional office layouts by bringing a more friendly community set up into the picture. As a business owner, here are some options you can consider before renting an office space that will help you take your company to the next level:
Community Spaces
Community spaces are also known as collaborative environments or shared work spots. Some employees may work from home and need a change of pace or wish to work with their colleagues more collaboratively. In all these cases, community spaces come in handy. You don’t have to worry about designing since these offices and centers are dedicated to providing a communal setting. Community spaces can be virtual or physical, and companies like The Executive Centre can provide a spot for a reasonable fee tailored to your individual needs.
Your employees need to provide details on the kind of space they’re looking for and the duration. It allows them to get to work in no time. These spaces already come furnished with the necessary office equipment and WIFI setting. Community spaces enable employees to work overtime, brainstorm ideas, and have business meetings without the need to set up a formal conference room.
No Assigned Seats
Conventional offices have designated seats and desks. This arrangement confines employees to one area and restricts their movements. However, employees may feel uncomfortable and get irritated sitting in one position for too long after a while. A remedy to this is known as hot desking or no assigned seat. Throughout your office, you should set up various seats and reduce the number of desks.
Since employees work on laptops and need WIFI connections, they’re free to move and can utilize any part of the office to do their job. Some employees prefer standing and working at a standing table. Others prefer comfortable options like beanie bags to do their work. Depending on the workstation’s area, you may also introduce couches and sofas.
Overlapping Zones
Some employees like the idea of sharing common spaces with their colleagues. So instead of being restricted to offices, they can work together in overlapping zones in large rooms or halls which can fit several employees at a time. Specific organizations are also bringing down walls to create a more extensive overlapping zone for employees to mingle. You can build a staircase, have an open floor plan and even allow access to outdoor seating areas.
This type of zoning provides workers with visual connectivity, and instead of mindlessly working, they can strike up conversations with each other. For instance, if your company has a structure with outdoor arrangements, your employees can sit in a group in these spaces to do their work. Office lobbies also make an excellent overlapping zone since employees often run into each other while moving from one department to another. The lobby can turn into another venue for employees to work together with a cluster of chairs and sofas.
Bring Home to Work
Home is where you’re most at peace. The furniture, decoration, and wallpaper can remove your anxiety and give you a sense of belonging. This logic is why some companies focus on creating a more home-like atmosphere at work. Picking a residential layout is all about choosing the colors, patterns, and furniture you would find in any house. You can create a welcoming environment by ignoring neutral colors, uncomfortable chairs, and tiny tables and keeping your office space devoid of decor.
The aesthetics you may want to go for may include oversized furniture, shelving units, chic desks, artwork, artisan rugs, and even decoration pieces that add to the look. This kind of décor can motivate employees to stay back longer and work harder since you capture the feel of a house and convert it into a usable office space. Your clients may also appreciate the cozy configuration.
Remote Working
Remote working is most commonly known as working from home. Employees have to carry out their tasks without coming to the office. Remote work increased exponentially during the pandemic when social distancing was in effect. However, when many significant corporations noticed the benefits it brought, this became the new norm. You can also encourage your workers to submit all the relevant projects remotely.
It is also easier to have meetings and international conferences and outsource new talent through online applications instead of in-person meetings. As a result, you save money on maintaining your office building and the cost of traveling. As long as you can provide your employees with the relevant devices and internet connection, they should have no trouble working remotely.
Today, it’s possible to avoid the limitations of not having a physical address easily by using the benefits that the virtual world offers us. Business owners use virtual mailboxes, and they can get, for example, a New Mexico business registration and do their business worldwide.
A Culture of Well-being
While shifting around the furniture to create new and innovative office spaces is easy. There is still a crucial aspect that gets neglected: employee wellness. About half of American workers will feel burnt out at work in 2022. In comparison, over 90% feel stressed out by their workplace. There are numerous reasons why employees struggle at the office. The constant deadlines, lack of rest, and lack of breaks make it challenging to keep up. Some employees may also be fighting mental health conditions which can shift their focus from work. New mothers are still recovering from postpartum and need time to adjust and find ways to work with their infants.
Therefore, as an employee, you should focus on building a healthy culture for your workers. You can start by creating break rooms where employees can rest, take a nap or log off from work. New mothers should get an allowance to see their child or have a nursery to look after their baby without dealing with separation anxiety. You can also invest in gyms and therapists, contributing to your employee wellness. Google has already introduced nap pods in their organization. So, whenever workers need time off, they can take a nice long nap.
Inventing Privacy Booths
A booth is a tiny space enclosed from all sides and only allows one or two people in at a time. Not every worker likes the idea of sharing their room or sitting through social interactions. Some enjoy privacy and want to finish their work with minimal interruptions. In such cases, you can build a privacy booth. These are inexpensive and require minimal maintenance. Each booth can be personalized according to your workers’ wishes. So, employees who wish to mingle freely can work in community spaces while the rest can operate from their booth.
Final Thoughts
The corporate sector is rapidly changing and transitioning from cubicles to more inclusive and immersive spaces. Instead of pushing employees to sit on a desk and chair, they can freely move around, sit where they feel comfortable, and communicate with their colleagues outside of the office. Alternate options include using community spaces, building an overlap zone, or creating a home-like ambiance at work. The bottom line of any company is to have a work environment that is both productive and keeps employees happy.
Businesses are also working on making health a part of company policy. Alternative workspace styles give employees the space to recoup instead of feeling burdened at work. Finally, introverted employees can utilize the privacy booth to do their tasks without fearing social interactions.
