Many surprising changes have come out of the pandemic. The crash course in remote work over the past year has left businesses concerned; the office space that was once necessary is now in a limbo.
One survey of close to a million US workers at Fortune 500 companies showed productivity remained stable or increased after employees began working remotely. Workers have proven that their ability to collaborate online is strong and have shown us that remote work is both possible and profitable.
On the flip side, many others are encouraging a return to the office full-time or with the help of a hybrid model (a mixture of in-office and remote work schedules). According to Global Working from Home Survey conducted by Leesman, 58% of workers reported they missed the office. Working from home comes with its own set of challenges and many would prefer getting away to a dedicated workspace.
Ultimately, the conversation arrives at a looming question which companies are trying to answer: what is the office really for, and do we need it?
Our verdict is this: although remote work is here to stay, it would be unwise to declare your office space extinct. Here’s why.
1. Relationship-building & Collaboration
Think about it – when someone says thank you over Zoom, it’s not the same as someone shaking your hand, making eye contact, and saying ‘’Thank you, I really appreciate it.’’
No matter how digitally dependent the future is, we are social creatures, and a physical office facilitates face-to-face communication with the rest of our team.
Not to mention communication is more effective in person. When people are working in the same space, it is far easier for them to build relationships and bounce ideas off one another. This is an essential part of taking any business forward. The proximity makes it harder for a message to get lost in translation. While video calls are certainly a good alternative, slow connectivity and technical issues can often result in confusion and lost time.
2. A Distraction-Free Environment
Remember when we witnessed Professor Robert Kelly get interrupted in his serious (and live!) BBC interview by his children? While working from home may make you the next ‘BBC Dad’, it can be difficult to stay focused on your work.
Even the most disciplined and organized remote workers can get distracted at home. Those who live with family or roommates also face regular, concentration-busting interruptions.
Additionally, some individuals may have housing situations that are not suitable for remote work and may not be able to find a quiet space where they can expect to work without any distractions.
In other words, we still need physical spaces – outside our homes – to do our work.
3. Company Culture
It goes without saying that it’s difficult to keep the company culture going without any human engagement. The invisible social capital that is built up over hundreds of personal interactions is missing from remote work. These interactions are critical to company culture and employee happiness which cannot be fully instilled in a virtual world.
Having an office space helps your employees stay connected to the overall vision and goals of the company and promotes a feeling of being part of something that is bigger than themselves.
Hopefully, this article has helped shine a light on why having a physical office space is as important as ever. We trust that these tips will help you make the best choice for your business and its future. ■
To learn more, visit officeinteriors.com
Cover photo by Discover Halifax.
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