Now that over half of Americans are fully vaccinated, the idea of returning to the office seems plausible. Although some companies have committed to permanent remote working policies, it’s clear that the past year has validated the need for some in-person collaboration.
Work arrangement plans need to be deeply thought out for the sake of employee satisfaction, health and safety.
“Businesses shouldn’t be overly handcuffed by the previous metrics for office space that were based on five-to-10-year scales and the need for cubicles,” said Andrew Kao, vice president of product at flexible workspace provider Hana. “Companies need to realize that they will try new approaches over the next 12 months and some won’t work. That’s how they’ll determine their success in the long run.”
Because of this, Hana has launched a product council called Hana Innovation Partners (HIP), which includes Samsung, office furnishing providers Herman Miller and Muraflx and construction firm Structure Tone.
This council aims to help provide a guideline for organizations who are trying to reconfigure their office spaces to be as safe as possible, while also nurturing collaboration and communication. For instance, workstations will no longer be seen as a necessity. Instead, zoned spaces that are adaptable and can be turned into meeting rooms or work environments will be emphasized.
According to Jeff Gibson, vice president of commercial real estate sales at Herman Miller, the adaptability has less to do with the reconfiguration of furniture, and more to do with accommodating various work styles and activities throughout the workweek.
