May 25, 2022
Our world has been rocked. Life in general doesn’t look like it did before….you know, say 2019. Personal and Career, Work /Life “Balance” as they call it had always been a goal for us as a company. When something like a virus rocks your world, both worlds collide with a great sense of vulnerability.
No doubt the industry most affected by the pandemic was and still is the workplace. How do companies lure their teams back to the workplace? Hybrid work schedules and subsequent workplaces are a must these days in order to provide a situation and environment fostering employees’ well-being.
People had become familiar and quite frankly comfortable with the WFH movement, and I’m referring to both employers and employees. We were forced to adapt, and in reality, it was an eye opener for all. Now however, to remain competitive companies need to address the comfort and casualness home provided to their teams.
In order to remain relevant, companies must consider:
Offering flexible work environment (alternate work areas within the workplace). Huddle rooms, open collaboration areas, equal private and public space opportunities.
Resimmercial Atmosphere. Combine the comfort and familiarity of the casual home environment with functional aspects necessary in the workplace.
Bring Nature In. Biophilia, the “innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings” was getting quite a bit of buzz prior to 2020. Now, more than ever our teams long for these benefits.
Natural Light Access. Enlarging windows, allowing more sunshine into a workspace. As we all have been told (and some experience to a debilitating affect), Serotonin boosts your mood, creates a calming and focused affect.
Outdoor Workspaces. Not all companies are able to create an ideal outdoor workspace, though if logistically possible, this would be a key attraction.
Our teams’ health and wellness needs to be a top priority, and when we offer a flexible workspace incorporating key elements we are responding to not only our current team, but also future generations of workers. The workplace of 2019 is gone, and given the above suggested alternatives, that may not be such a bad thing. Your thoughts? 2019 work/life balance vs 2022 work/life harmony?
- Kit DeWitt, Principal