Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
- The goal of a hybrid office isn’t simply to increase office attendance, but to ensure that when employees do choose to come in, their experience is outstanding.
- By offering a flexible array of spaces and services, organizations can accommodate the varied demands of their workforce.
- Workplaces with high satisfaction in variety also score highly across other satisfaction metrics.
As hybrid work continues to define the post-pandemic workplace, organizations are grappling with a key question: how to design office environments that support their workforce effectively and remain relevant in a world of increased remote work.
Insights from my interview with Peggie Rothe, Chief Insights and Research Officer at Leesman, can help leaders meet this critical challenge.
With over 1.3 million employee responses about office experiences and half a million about remote work, Leesman’s extensive research reveals that variety is the cornerstone of an exceptional hybrid office experience.
Why Invest in Outstanding Offices?
When employees have the flexibility to work remotely, some leaders question the necessity of creating top-tier office spaces.
From a financial perspective, CFOs might ask why organizations should invest heavily in spaces that employees use less frequently. However, Rothe’s research demonstrates clear advantages to outstanding office environments.
Leesman’s studies identify four key benefits of exceptional office design:
- Fostering Pride: A well-designed workplace enhances employees’ connection to their organization, instilling pride and a sense of belonging.
- Boosting Productivity: Offices tailored for focused work enable employees to be more productive, directly benefiting the organization’s bottom line.
- Strengthening Collaboration: The right spaces encourage community building and effective teamwork, both of which are critical in hybrid models.
- Enhancing Enjoyment: A thoughtfully designed workplace creates a positive and enjoyable experience, encouraging employees to make the effort to commute to the office.
Rothe emphasizes that the goal isn’t simply to increase office attendance but to ensure that when employees do choose to come in, their experience is outstanding.
Tackling the Commute Challenge
Despite the benefits of a well-designed office, commuting remains a significant barrier for many employees. According to Rothe, organizations must acknowledge this reality and adapt.
Flexible strategies, such as decentralized office hubs or third spaces closer to employees’ homes, can mitigate the commuting burden while still providing access to collaborative and focused workspaces.
Even within the confines of a single centralized office, it’s crucial to focus on creating an environment that offers a great experience.
As Rothe points out, while improving the commute can make the office more accessible, improving the experience ensures that when employees are present, their time is well-spent.
The ROI of Variety
For organizations constrained by budget limitations, achieving variety in office design can feel daunting.
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Tech giants like Google and Microsoft may set a high standard with lavish amenities, but Rothe argues that variety doesn’t have to be expensive.
Public sector organizations, for example, have successfully implemented unassigned workspaces with diverse settings that deliver high satisfaction scores.
The key is tailoring the workplace to the specific needs of the organization and its employees. Leesman’s data highlights that workplaces with high satisfaction in variety also score highly across other satisfaction metrics.
This underscores the importance of offering a range of environments that cater to different activities, work styles, and demographics.
Understanding Employee Needs
To design an effective office, organizations must first understand what their employees need.
This begins with identifying the primary activities employees engage in at the office — such as focused work and collaboration — and then designing spaces to support these activities.
Focused work is a foundational need, as nearly every employee engages in it to some extent.
Rothe notes the distinction between “snorkeling” tasks, which involve light focus and can tolerate interruptions, and “deep diving” tasks, which require uninterrupted concentration.
A successful office supports both types of focus work while also offering spaces for calls and collaborative efforts.
Understanding the diversity of employees’ needs is equally important.
Working parents may prioritize amenities like on-site childcare, while younger employees might value privacy in a shared workspace. By offering a flexible array of spaces and services, organizations can accommodate the varied demands of their workforce.
The Future of Hybrid Workplaces
The workplace of the future, according to Rothe, will prioritize variety. While fewer employees may have their own designated workstations, offices will evolve to provide a range of settings tailored to specific tasks.
This flexibility will empower employees to choose the best environment for their work on any given day.
Moreover, the office will function as a critical piece of the hybrid work puzzle, complementing home offices and other third spaces.
Organizations that succeed in creating environments with the right mix of options will find that they are better equipped to support their employees, regardless of how often they come to the office.
A New Standard for Workplace Excellence
Leesman’s research underscores the importance of rethinking office design in the hybrid era. Variety emerges as the essential ingredient in creating spaces that not only meet the diverse needs of employees but also deliver tangible business benefits.
Organizations that embrace this shift — prioritizing employee experience and investing in spaces that support productivity, collaboration, and enjoyment — will position themselves as leaders in the new world of work, as I highlight to my clients in advising them on adopting flexible work best practices.
For employees, the hybrid workplace represents an opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds, with offices that are designed to inspire, support, and connect.
The message is clear: the future of work isn’t about choosing between the office and remote work — it’s about creating the right balance and ensuring that every piece of the hybrid puzzle fits together seamlessly.
