Although many companies have opted to continue remote working arrangements for the rest of the year, some are bringing their employees back into the office. But doing so requires major design changes to the workspace in order to accommodate physical distancing and other safety measures.
In recent years, business leaders have realized the importance of having the proper workspace design as it can have a direct impact on the employee experience and quality of work. For younger generations, they generally prefer a job that offers a culture that is community-driven and gives them a sense of purpose.
Open office designs have grown in popularity over the past few years, but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague certain areas of the world, office layouts may become curated for individuals rather than large groups. This means installing partitions, standing screens and keeping work stations at a distance to keep workers safe.
Still, companies should also pay attention to other details that can make for a much more inspiring and innovative workplace. For instance, the color of the walls or incorporating natural elements can help create an ideal work environment.
Adding biophilic elements has also been found to have greatly improved the well-being of employees. Bringing the outdoors inside with plants and natural lighting has been found to not only inspire workers, but also improve the mental and physical health of employees.