The next generation of employees wants more from their office design. Workspaces of today are becoming more open than ever, but that doesn’t mean they’re also more productive and efficient. According to Forbes, the Millennial workforce is expected to make up over half of the workforce by 2020. This is creating a conflict with the current realities of office space today, and executives need to make smart choices to create spaces that retain the top employees.
Everything from function to flow to the colors used in collaborative spaces is up for discussion. There is such a thing as an unproductive workplace. Facility management professionals need to find new ways to face these challenges head-on. If you’re ready to retain your employees with your space, read on for the best design strategies.
Balance Between Open and Closed
There’s a lot of discussion about open spaces today. Some believe open offices are the way of the future, while others think they’re full of distractions. The reality is a third space has come to light in the 21st century that we don’t talk about. This is the open space that creates a balance between the cubicle and the open floor plan.
People want to collaborate in their workspaces. These open spaces allow old and new employees to work on projects, network, and solve problems. However, these employees need privates spaces to retire to when it’s time to work independently. In this day and age, we need to stop overlooking the cubicle in favor of completely open spaces. The key is finding the right balance.
Value Health in Design
There’s a reason standing desks, swivel-chairs, and exercise balls are so popular today. People are tired of feeling like just another number in the company. They want to be valued, and this value starts with the space itself. Ergonomics and design play into this comfort, health, and wellness.
Another aspect to consider with health beyond furnishings and layout is the light. A study finds that employees are more productive with more natural light. Human bodies thrive on the 24-hour cycle. When we’re exposed to sunlight, our bodies feel more alert and ready to perform highly. Consider how light can play a role in your spaces.
Flexibility in the Workplace
The existence of the third space between open and closed shows the importance of flexibility in the workplace. Employees today are tired of the 9-5 cycle. They want to be trusted to work in the places that feel right to them at the times that they feel more productive. This means remote working and flexible scheduling are on the rise.
Include this flexibility in your own workplace design as well as the daily operations of your facility. How can employees make their own timesheets that work for them? Using tools designed around helping your team work on their own terms is a great first step.
Sustainability By Going Green
Finally, the workers of today feel empowered by spaces that help the environment. Younger professionals in particular value sustainability, going green, and making smart choices for the environment. Energy-saving efforts in the infrastructure and design of offices are making a huge impact.
From harvesting rainwater to solar panels, there are more options than ever to become a green workplace. See how these changes affect your employee well-being with a few small (or big) changes today. It’s more than worth the investment when most Millennials arere more interested in people and sustainability than profits.
As you can see, one of the best ways to keep your top performing employees is to create a healthy and positive space to work. So many businesses today focus on the wrong things when it comes to office design. The most important things have more to do with company values that are reflected in the operations, infrastructure, and design of the office itself.
The next generation of employees wants more from their office design. Workspaces of today are becoming more open than ever, but that doesn’t mean they’re also more productive and efficient. According to Forbes, the Millennial workforce is expected to make up over half of the workforce by 2020. This is creating a conflict with the current realities of office space today, and executives need to make smart choices to create spaces that retain the top employees.
Everything from function to flow to the colors used in collaborative spaces is up for discussion. There is such thing as an unproductive workplace. Facility management professionals need to find new ways to face these challenges head-on. If you’re ready to retain your employees with your space, read on for the best design strategies.
Balance Between Open and Closed
There’s a lot of discussion about open spaces today. Some believe open offices are the way of the future, while others think they’re full of distractions. The reality is a third space has come to light in the 21st century that we don’t talk about. This is the open space that creates a balance between the cubicle and the open floor plan.
People want to collaborate in their workspaces. These open spaces allow old and new employees to work on projects, network, and solve problems. However, these employees need privates spaces to retire to when it’s time to work independently. In this day and age, we need to stop overlooking the cubicle in favor of completely open spaces. The key is finding the right balance.
Image via Pexels
Value Health in Design
There’s a reason standing desks, swivel-chairs, and exercise balls are so popular today. People are tired of feeling like just another number in the company. They want to be valued, and this value starts with the space itself. Ergonomics and design play into this comfort, health, and wellness.
Another aspect to consider with health beyond furnishings and layout is the light. A study finds that employees are more productive with more natural light. Human bodies thrive on the 24-hour cycle. When we’re exposed to sunlight, our bodies feel more alert and ready to perform highly. Consider how light can play a role in your spaces.
Flexibility in the Workplace
The existence of the third space between open and closed shows the importance of flexibility in the workplace. Employees today are tired of the 9-5 cycle. They want to be trusted to work in the places that feel right to them at the times that they feel more productive. This means remote working and flexible scheduling are on the rise.
Include this flexibility in your own workplace design as well as the daily operations of your facility. How can employees make their own timesheets that work for them? Using tools designed around helping your team work on their own terms is a great first step.
Screenshot via Humanity
Sustainability By Going Green
Finally, the workers of today feel empowered by spaces that help the environment. Younger professionals in particular value sustainability, going green, and making smart choices for the environment. Energy-saving efforts in the infrastructure and design of offices are making a huge impact.
From harvesting rainwater to solar panels, there are more options than ever to become a green workplace. See how these changes affect your employee well-being with a few small (or big) changes today. It’s more than worth the investment when most Millennials arere more interested in people and sustainability than profits.
As you can see, one of the best ways to keep your top performing employees is to create a healthy and positive space to work. So many businesses today focus on the wrong things when it comes to office design. The most important things have more to do with company values that are reflected in the operations, infrastructure, and design of the office itself.
