Well-Being – The key factor for getting employees back to work!

Covid-19 brought in its wake a profound change in the way people work, one factor being a major shift in the balance between time spent in the office and time working from another location, either at home, in a co-working space or in a café.

Flexibility has become an integral part of our working life and should now be considered as a differentiating factor in attracting and retaining a workforce that is increasingly concerned about freedom, achieving a better balance between work and home life, and that is increasingly demanding about physical and mental well-being and health.

The pendulum effect created by the lockdown that forced people to work 100% from home, swung so far that some employers felt forced to authorize lifelong teleworking in certain companies, it is now swinging back to a new balanced situation. The vast majority of employers (including those who have offered lifelong teleworking) consider that working in the office is of vital importance in promoting social relations, reinforcing a sense of belonging and boosting creativity. Employees share this point of view and want to return to the workplace for the very same reasons. The younger generations also refer to disproportion in the time spent working at home compared to in the workplace, as well as difficulties concentrating and learning new material. Furthermore, 26% of Gen Z report inadequate home workspace while 30% of Millenials/Gen X report caregiver responsibilities as top challenges working from home. New and younger employees apparently lack supervision.

Fig. : Top challenges working from home by generation

Flexibility has become one of the determining factors for the future of office work resulting in a multiplicity of locations, spaces and uses. Although the impact on office landscapes is real, with an anticipated reduction in the need for office space over the next few years and a possible repositioning of companies in Belgium to attract a new workforce, workspaces themselves will also have to be reinvented in order to meet the expectations and new needs of employees and employers.

Fig. : A variety of locations and experiences to support convenience, functionality and well-being

The working environment, that is a combination of the different elements that make up the interior layout, plays an essential role in the well-being of employees and can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health.

Using simpler and more intuitive spaces, ensuring the adaptability of workspaces, new dimensions for more accessible uses, are becoming the norm in order to guarantee a working environment that is suitable for one and all. A more universal framework that is less stigmatizing and takes into account the different degrees of required autonomy or life experience, whether cultural or personal, that corresponds to a wider spectrum of individual personalities and comfort for all.

The future of the workspace

Ergonomics are of paramount importance for physical comfort. For instance, ergonomic chairs, height-adjustable desks and adjustable & appropriately-sized screens reduce muscular pain and fatigue. What’s more, an efficient layout facilitates a smooth workflow while at the same time encouraging the user to move about and be dynamic.

Similarly, the general acoustics of the office as a whole or of each room according to its use, combined with suitable lighting, help to create a healthy and calm environment, thereby reducing stress and enhancing user productivity. Moreover, the user’s sensory experience can be enhanced by the astute choice of colours and materials. Harmonious, balanced and dynamic décor can enhance the mood and interaction of individuals.

The type of construction materials used, along with air quality, form an integral part of the interior design by ensuring a healthy and sustainable working environment. Last but not least, the integration of nature is also beneficial. “Biophilic design” as it’s known is increasingly becoming a key element in the workspace development process. Natural elements such as plants, plentiful natural light and views outside all help to foster relaxation, creativity and mental well-being.

In short, the design of office spaces will continue to play a key role in the well-being of users. By creating a comfortable, functional and pleasant environment, companies can improve employee satisfaction, productivity and mental health. By the same token, flexibility, in terms of equipment or the layout itself, where it meets the needs of individual as well as groups, will help to enhance individual satisfaction and increase commitment.

Less space for more functions

The Covid crisis has profoundly changed the way we see our relationship with work and workspaces. The relocations and remodeling projects we have witnessed in recent months suggest a reduction of around 20-30% in space requirements as a result of the increase in teleworking. But it is more fundamentally the workspace itself that is undergoing the most change. It now has to offer a multiplicity of uses: informal meeting places, areas for concentrating, meeting rooms and joint working spaces are being added to the ‘traditional’ offices as well as a multiplicity of atmospheres and layouts.

To attract and retain talent, employers will have to invest massively in their workspaces, responding to a growing number of needs and uses, while promoting the well-being of their employees. C&W Design+Build’s experience and daily monitoring of new trends in workspaces make it the ideal partner to help you reinvent your office space of the future.

Well-Being – The key factor for getting employees back to work!

The future of the workspace

Less space for more functions

C&W Design + Build Belgium