Entice Workers Back to the Office

As we move into a period of stability after the disruption of the COVID pandemic, it’s time for businesses to redefine the office as a destination that attracts employees back. Many employees have enjoyed the flexibility and comfort of remote work, making the idea of returning to a physical office less appealing for some. Therefore, it’s essential to offer compelling reasons to encourage them back.

Here are three key strategies to create an environment that inspires engagement and reinvigorates workplace culture.

1. Create a purpose-driven workspace
To encourage employees to return, the office must offer something distinct from remote work – a space designed for collaboration, innovation, and community-building. Purposeful, user-friendly areas such as meeting rooms, collaboration hubs, town hall spaces, and areas that support both in-person and virtual collaboration are essential. By creating environments that help employees complete tasks they can’t achieve at home, the office becomes a space they want to return to for its unique benefits.

2. Prioritise wellbeing, flexibility, and home comforts
The rise of hybrid work is a lasting movement, with employees seeking a balance between their professional and personal lives. Offering flexible working arrangements and wellness-focused spaces is critical to this balance. Buildings and surrounding precincts should offer access to amenities like fitness centres, good food and retail, and childcare facilities. Design firm Hassell, which has been surveying office workers globally since 2020, found in its latest annual research that workers are increasingly desiring more ‘domestic’ amenities such as access to green space, good coffee, fresh air, and space to focus without distraction in the workplace. Health and wellness amenities such as meditation rooms, standing desks, physiotherapy, doctors, and alternative medicine options are increasingly becoming part of modern office design.

3. Leverage technology for a seamless experience
Technology can smooth the transition from home to office, making the return more appealing. Invest in user-friendly solutions like booking systems for workstations, meeting rooms, focus areas, and high-quality AV equipment to support hybrid meetings. A tech-enhanced office boosts productivity and innovation by blending the remote and in-office experience seamlessly.

Reignite Workplace Engagement
By adopting these strategies, businesses can create engaging, productive environments that inspire workers to transition back to the office. One of the greatest advantages of in-office work is the ability to build and nurture a strong company culture. Productivity thrives in a balanced environment where employees are provided with autonomy and control, feel trusted in their competency, and can connect and interact with their colleagues in both formal and informal settings. These efforts reinforce a sense of belonging, which can motivate employees to return to the office without the need to impose attendance mandates.

At Intermain, we specialise in reshaping workspaces to keep pace with the evolving needs of today’s businesses, supporting our clients with design and construction services that improve employee engagement, productivity, and overall satisfaction. If you’re curious about how to transform your office into a place your employees look forward to return to, reach out to our friendly team.