How to make your office a destination employees want to visit

The pandemic ushered in a new era of remote working, and while some organisations are now requiring staff to return to offices full-time, it’s clear that hybrid working will form the basis of how many businesses operate in future. Remote working has many benefits but isn’t suitable for everyone. Many people — particularly younger generations — rely on working in office environments to learn new skills, build contacts and for somewhere to focus on their work. For businesses, it’s essential that the office provides an environment where people will feel inspired, productive and socially connected with their peers. In fact, according to The Workplace Oooh! report produced by Claremont Group Interiors, 84% of employees now expect the office to deliver an experience, so those that fail to do so are unlikely to attract and retain the talent they need. The following tips will help you build a workplace where people want to come: Create a vibrant cultureJust over a third of people (35%) say the company of other people is what makes them want to visit the office the most, according to The Workplace Oooh! report, while forming friendships is particularly important to younger staff. The modern office needs to be a social destination where people can get to know each other and enjoy each other’s company. “It’s important there’s a vibrancy and that the office reflects the brand of the business,” says Becky Turner, workplace psychologist at Claremont Group Interiors. “It needs to be a space that they’re proud to work in.” She gives the example of businesses playing music in the office on a Friday, which can help to create a good energy and atmosphere, which in-turn may encourage people to come in on a day when many people might otherwise choose to work from home. Social spaces where people can eat, drink and relax can also create an informal and friendly environment.Enable people to be productive Having access to resources that they don’t have at home is a major driver in enticing 34% of employees into the office, and is consistently in demand across different generations. This could be in the form of more effective technology, such as better broadband, printing or IT support, but also in the provision of dedicated areas where people can concentrate. This is particularly appealing for those who live in shared houses or find it hard to focus at home. “The workspace has got to offer something different to home,” says Sarah Syson, head of design at Claremont Group Interiors. “There needs to be a purpose to coming in, whether that's a meeting, collaboration, social interaction or even focus work if the home environment provides distractions.” It’s important that people can move freely between different areas of the office too, she adds, depending on what they’re looking to do, and that there are quiet spaces to help neurodivergent people. Include space where people can learn Enabling people to support each other is vital, whether that’s junior colleagues learning from those with more experience or reverse mentoring, where older workers can benefit from skills younger generations may have, in areas such as technology. “From a wellbeing and performance perspective, it’s often more beneficial to collaborate face-to-face,” says Turner. This means having somewhere that people can sit down together, either formally or informally, to share ideas and build connections. The opportunity to learn from peers is particularly important for younger people, with 34% of Generation Z saying this would make them visit the office. But older generations are also keen to learn, with 20% of Generation X and 21% of Baby Boomers saying this is a motivating factor in heading into the office. Make your facilities stand outEmployees today expect comfortable facilities – 28% say a major reason why they would visit the office is to be in a heated space – and this means proper kitchen areas, clean toilets and decent coffee. But increasingly they also want other elements on top; one in five workers say outdoor space, on-site leisure facilities and subsidised meals would make a trip into the office more inviting. Businesses should also incorporate areas to support multi-faith, new parents, neurodiverse colleagues and general wellbeing. “It’s about creating a space that will support the needs of everyone, and stripping out the gimmicks,” says Turner. Think greenWith more people now expressing concern for the environment, businesses need to do all they can to ensure their offices are as sustainable as possible. This is particularly important for Generation Z, where one in five say measures such as electric vehicle charging points and better recycling would make the office more appealing. “Reusing office furniture is probably one of the most sustainable things you can do as part of a fit-out,” says Syson. “If you can’t do that, then consider the recycled content as well as the recyclable nature of material used.” Other measures here could include shower facilities to allow people to cycle to the office rather than drive.To find out more about how Claremont Group Interiors could help you create an office environment people will want to come to, visit https://claremontgi.com/. Alternatively you can find Claremont at stand F37 during the Annual CIPD Conference and Exhibition as well as hear from Becky Turner on the Employee Experience Stage.

How to make your office a destination employees want to visit

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