The vast majority of modern offices are not yet ready for hybrid work. They are too big and are often empty, especially when many colleagues work from home. And they're not equipped for social encounters. Most employees go to the office to have more social contacts to find out about their colleagues. That is why offices must also be able to promote this.
We've collected practical tips and best practices for you here.
Tip 1: More social spaces
We don't come to the office to sit at a desk all day anymore. Many of us can (and prefer) doing this very well from home — with some peace and quiet. Instead, we come to the office to regain the longed-for social interaction. It is important that we have spaces that reflect all these wishes. Create spaces where employees can do just that: interact, collaborate, meet.
That means more than just a few extra sofas in the lounge. New concepts are needed to promote collaboration between people and teams. More meeting rooms with whiteboards. More tables where colleagues can sit right next to each other at times. And fewer individual offices or simple open spaces with countless rows of workplaces.
Tip 2: Flexibility and diversity
The modern office must also be flexible in order to meet the wishes and needs of employees to reflect. It is often the case that you want to work more concentrated from time to time. For this, you need places that offer peace and comfort. Or you have to make a phone call and don't want to disturb your colleagues. A telephone box would be enough here.
The American company LinkedIn has its new headquarters in California emphasizes exactly these principles. In the same building, there are spaces for collaboration, but also for concentrated work and everything in between.
The company is really investing in this idea of choice and flexibility — Lisa Britz, Director of Workplace Design at LinkedIn
Tip 3: Implement desk sharing
With hybrid work, you need fewer office spaces. Many companies therefore focused on Desk sharing.
With desk sharing, also known as hot desking or flex desking, you usually no longer have a fixed workplace. The idea is to have a specific number of workstations that are available to everyone. However, these jobs are not tied to employees. Instead, anyone can book the desk in advance and use it for a day or a specific number of hours.
The advantage? You can reduce the number of tables and workstations won't be empty if you don't come to the office that day.
Tip 4: Provide storage space
It sounds banal, but storage space is very important for a modern office. Especially when employees do not have a fixed workplace, they need a place/compartment/room where they can easily store their small, often personal, belongings. Nobody wants to carry the photo of the family in their backpack every day, but it makes a difference if you can look at the photo during the working day.
This also works for technology that you don't want to carry back and forth (e.g. keyboards, headsets, etc.).
Tip 5: Consider acoustics
What will the acoustics and therefore also the working atmosphere be like in the new work room? Sound and noise levels are crucial in an office. The acoustics should be designed to create an atmosphere that encourages employees to go to the office. However, you should avoid making so much noise that you lose concentration.
One way to dampen noise is to use carpet floors instead of wood, as well as sound-absorbing material on the ceiling and furniture in more private areas — or designate areas as a “quiet zone.”
Less sound-absorbing materials should be used in areas intended for conversations. This creates the desired volume in an office. For example, in the dining area, kitchen or common areas.
