Following on from two research studies from Oktra and Leesman detailing the need for modern workspaces to adapt to create higher performance work environments than the home, we decided to collate a series with information on how to create exceptional hybrid workplaces to enhance employee experiences, the first of which summarises the Leesman’s Power of Place Research.
"Though hybrid working is undoubtedly here to stay, there exists a wide spectrum of different types of hybrid working. Post-pandemic workplace surveys show a striking reality: only two out of five meet the criteria for outstanding workplaces, while the majority fall short of providing a truly great experience for their employees." - Leesman’s Power of Place, 2024.
In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, the concept of the traditional office has undergone a profound transformation. Now more than ever, organisations are embracing hybrid work models, where employees split their time between remote work and office attendance. However, amidst this shift, ensuring a stellar workplace experience for all employees, regardless of their location, has emerged as a paramount concern.
According to the latest findings from Leesman's Power of Place report, it's evident that there's still significant room for improvement in the workplace experience offered by many organisations. Shockingly, three out of five workplaces fall short of providing an exceptional experience to their employees. This revelation underscores the urgent need for organisations to reassess their approach to workplace design and employee support in the hybrid era.
One of the key insights gleaned from the report is that the average knowledge worker feels better supported in their home environment than in the traditional office setting. This highlights a critical disparity that organisations must address to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
Moreover, with 86% of employees adopting a hybrid work style, it's clear that a one-size-fits-all approach no longer suffices. The report identifies a spectrum of hybrid working styles, ranging from occasional office visits to predominantly remote work, emphasising the importance of catering to diverse employee needs within this framework.
In light of these findings, organisations are prompted to reconsider their priorities in crafting a successful hybrid workplace. Rather than fixating on the number of days employees spend in the office, the focus should shift towards ensuring an outstanding workplace experience for all individuals, regardless of their physical presence.
At Hotbox we aid the workplace experience by providing products designed to help individuals navigate the workplace in a more organised, mobile and interactive way. Our product ethos is built around the idea of providing employees with autonomy and flexibility across their work day. We encourage our business partners to look at providing a multiple product solution for their teams, understanding that there is no one-size-fits all method to equipping your team in a hybrid work environment. We can work with your business to understand which products work for the individuals in your team, so everyone feels uniquely supported depending on their workstyle. This not only creates employee inclusion, but helps reduce unwanted resources and costs. Contact us today to find out more or receive a bespoke quote.
Key business benefits identified for creating an exceptional workplace experience:
Pride & Image: Offices serve as physical manifestations of organisational identity and brand, requiring enhanced efforts to leave a lasting impression on employees. Atriums, communal areas and general décor were all linked to creating a sense of pride.
Privacy & Concentration: Employees are increasingly favouring home environments for focused work, highlighting the challenge offices face in providing comparable productivity and concentration support. Quiet rooms and pods for working alone or in pairs were identified as being paramount for acoustic privacy.
Community & Collaboration: Supporting various forms of collaboration, both in-person and remote, fosters a sense of belonging and connectivity among employees. Accessibility of colleagues is especially important to maintain social bonds in hybrid working and creating settings that include refreshment facilities are found to create a sense of community among employees.
Enjoyable Workspaces: Offices must compete with the comfort of home by offering environments that are not only functional but also enjoyable. Informal areas and breakout zones with plants and greenery are essential for creating an enjoyable environment for employees to work in.
The variety of different types of workplaces is statistically linked to all four advantages listed above meaning that a workplace with a good variety of settings will be one that supports employees that have diverse work styles.
One of the key areas that the research also identified was how companies are quick to Value Engineer the features and resources that employees attach the most value to out of the occupancy strategy such as communal areas, green spaces, and décor. This is usually due to budget constraints or lack of understanding of the necessity and improvement these assets have on an employee’s experience within the workplace.
Crucially, the report emphasises that creating an exceptional workplace experience doesn't necessarily require more physical space. Instead, organisations can optimise existing resources by reimagining layout and design to accommodate diverse work styles and preferences.
In conclusion, the success of hybrid working hinges on the quality of the workplace experience rather than mere attendance metrics. By prioritising employee satisfaction, tailoring spaces to meet diverse needs, and providing the correct hybrid working resources organisations can unlock the full potential of their workforce in the hybrid era.
The full report can be found here https://www.leesmanindex.com/power-of-place/
Considering how you can support a switch to supporting hybrid work environments whilst also promoting your office as a desirable, inspiring and productive work place? Contact our team today to learn more about our premium office caddies and work bags for the commuters, the home workers and office loyalist’s alike.
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