The office has gotten a bad reputation from movies and TV shows that depict a land of cubicles void of inspiration. Today, companies are moving away from the office environments that comedians love to poke fun at to destinations that employees love.
Research is constantly demonstrating the importance of the office to employees and its impact on employee engagement, retention and productivity. In this month’s news aggregate, we highlight five stories that emphasize the office’s role in creativity, connection and collaboration among teammates.
A Place to Collaborate
Although technology gives us the capability to work from anywhere, we’re still drawn to office environments where we can interact with colleagues. Harvard Business Review states that “even if we can work from anywhere, that does not mean we want to.” Employees desire spaces where they can create and collaborate with others, so it’s important that workplaces support these actions. Get ideas for workspaces that foster creative collaboration.
Attracting Young Talent
Research shows that Millennials and Generation Z consider the workplace when making job decisions. Integrating technology, creating outdoor environments and encouraging connection between teammates can help to attract top talent, according to Entrepreneur. Organizations that incorporate these trends into their office design will attract top talent and innovate more quickly.
Deepening Connections
New workspaces seek to provide employees with a deeper sense of connection to their teammates and the organization. When this is successfully achieved, companies outperform their peers, according to JLL on Work Design Magazine. A key to accomplishing this goal for the workplace is creating a flexible environment. Get 7 tips for creating a great workplace.
Impacting Employee Engagement
Recent research from Steelcase discovered a correlation between our workspace and employee engagement. After surveying more than 12,000 individuals in 17 countries, they found that employees who were satisfied with their work environment and had control over their workplace were more likely to be engaged. Download the global report.
Providing Choice
Thought leaders agree that choice in the workplace improves employee engagement and productivity, but employees must be offered the right kind of choice. Too many choices, complex choices, or the wrong types of environments can increase frustrations. Learn key learnings from a recent panel discussion about choice in the office rom Work Design Magazine.
