Although during COVID many people said they preferred home working, many did not. Working remotely can feel isolating. Many office staff missed the interaction with work colleagues and the buzz and noise of the office environment.
In 2022 people are returning to the office, but to entice them back has meant employers have needed to make changes. Here are just a few of the office trends for the year ahead in 2022.
Supporting Staff’s Health & Wellbeing
Supporting staff wellbeing is now high on the office agenda. That means staff being trained with soft skills like communication. Managers and team leaders will be taught effective conversation and listening skills.
Office space can be set up as an area to spend lunchtimes and breaks practising yoga or meditation. Fresh fruit and healthy drinks and snacks will be made available. Discounts to a nearby gym or swimming pool will encourage staff to take breaks and avoid burnout.
Flexible Offices
The standard office layout of rows of desks and booths is now becoming obsolete. Employers are looking for offices that are tailored towards comfort, space, and convenience. Businesses now want shorter leases to enable them to upsize or downsize as required.
There is now more demand for serviced offices as they provide the flexibility and tailored solutions needed by both small, medium, and large businesses.
Quiet Spaces
During COVID when office staff worked from home most people got used to working in a quieter environment. People didn’t have to try and concentrate amid noise coming from telephones, people talking and the whirring of electronics.
For this reason, employers have developed quiet workspaces in less frenetic parts of the office. The furniture is comfortable and there are posters on the wall and plants dotted around to give a more homely feel.
Offices are also starting to use pods which can either be made from screens to provide privacy or an office within an office if space is required for meetings or zoom calls.
Being Sustainable
Creating a workplace that is energy efficient with a lower carbon footprint is also an aspect of office working.
Employers should have a sustainability strategy in place. A group of staff members can make up the sustainability team with the responsibility of informing and educating staff on ways to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
Employers can make the most of technology to reduce water waste and save electricity. Staff can use recycled paper cups for teas and coffees, reduce paper use and purchase sustainable options for office supplies.
Smart Technology
Renting a serviced office that has Smart Technology installed will mean you can reduce your energy bills and contribute to a greener environment. Staff can use smartphone apps to personalise their environment by using apps to control the lighting, heating, and cooling, as well as air quality.
Sensors can also switch off lights automatically when people aren’t in the room. Staff toilets can use technology to save water with low flush levels and reduced water use from taps.
These trends will go a long way to encourage people back into the office by making an attractive environment that’s better to work in and more sustainable.
