Almost 99% of company leaders now either require or encourage employees to work from home two or three days a week. And it’s easy to understand why, since 31% of leaders and managers say hybrid employees are more productive than their fully office-based peers, while 50% say it also improves retention rates. So, it’s only natural that workspaces are also redesigned to better accommodate hybrid teams and make employees actually want to come back into the office. Thoughtful office design also increases communication between employees by 42%, and boosts idea sharing by 44%. Unlike rigid cubicles, hyrbid workspaces are flexible and can be tailored to the needs of teams and individuals throughout the day.
Embrace activity-based spaces over cubicles
To nurture collaboration and a positive company culture, leaders should opt for flexible workspaces over traditional cubicles. In fact, workers in partitioned cubicles are typically the most unhappy compared to workers in other office layouts, research from Harvard Buinses Review reveals. Lack of sound privacy, difficulty interacting with co-workers, and non-adjustable furniture are some of the biggest complaints. What is more, standard, uniform cubicles are inevitably killers of inspiration, creativity, and collaboration. It’s easy to forget you even have co-workers when you’re all hidden by high walls. Fortunately, flexible, activity-based seating is an effective alternative for hybrid teams. These arrangements mean employees no longer have their own static desks to sit in all day; instead, they can choose to sit in specific spaces that suit their working style and the task at hand, whether individual or group work.
Opt for modular furniture
Modular furniture is ideal in activity-based collaborative spaces as it can be rearranged as needed to facilitate brainstorming sessions and group meetings, for example. This, in turn, makes it easier for teams to innovate. And, according to McKinsey, brands that nurture a culture of innovation are 3.5 times more likely to financially outperform their competition. In particular, sectional sofas can conveniently be separated into multiple smaller sections and moved into various shapes (like L-, U-, and C-shapes) to accommodate groups. Sectional sofas are also inviting and comfortable, which lends the office an appealing residential feel. You want employees to feel at home in the office, so this is another big win.
Additionally, modular desks can similarly be adjusted to suit different purposes. For example, bench-style modular desks can be arranged into one long, continuous desk for multiple employees to sit at — this is great for collaboration. Alternatively, desks with adjustable panels can be used to provide employees with privacy during solo tasks that require deep concentration. This flexibility also improves employee happiness. 88% of highly engaged employees say they have control over the work experience, whereas just 14% of highly disengaged employees say the same.
Don’t neglect acoustics
Workers lose up to 86 minutes daily due to noise distractions. Noise pollution also causes stress and mental fatigue, which isn’t conducive to innovation or collaboration. Acoustics should therefore be prioritized in both collaborative and quiet workspaces to create a more positive work environment. Sound-absorbent carpet, for example, is great underneath desks to muffle sound, whereas acoustic panels can likewise be attached to walls and desks. Alternatively, you can also experiment with materials that don’t mute sound (like glass or hardwood floors) in break spaces or social areas. This creates a warm, coffee shop-style ambiance that employees will naturally congregate and socialize in.
The reign of the cubicle and static desk is over as office design increasingly becomes human-centered. In particular, flexible workspaces with great acoustics can cater to the different needs of hybrid employees throughout the day. In turn, you’ll see improvements across the board, including productivity, employee satisfaction, and company culture.
Nina S. Blake is a writer with a research journalism background, who is always eager to explore new niches and tackle diverse subjects.
