One of the residual benefits of the COVID-19 pandemic was the ability to work remotely from the comfort and convenience of your own home. Now that some businesses are asking workers to come back to the office, whether full-time or part-time, many of these workers are reluctant to give that up.
While it may seem impossible to compete with the benefits of working from home, employers can make their workplaces attractive to people who have gotten accustomed to working where they want. The idea is to make the office better than home with services and amenities that workers can’t get anywhere else.
- Social Interactions. One of the things people miss most about the office is the chance to talk and interact with their coworkers. Companies are capitalizing on this by encouraging interaction and hosting events, including yoga classes, lectures and even happy hours.
- Recreational Opportunities. Office gyms have become commonplace but the new generation of buildings are incorporating other kinds of fitness facilities, especially those that offer access to nature and the outdoors. Amazon’s new headquarters in Virginia, for example, will feature a hiking trail with local plants that spirals up and around the outside of the building.
- Perks and Amenities. Employers should think beyond dining options and coffee shops to offer employees the services they really want and need. At L’Oreal’s Los Angeles office, workers can call on an in-house concierge to run errands during the day, which reduces stress and boosts productivity.
- Technology. The pandemic exposed inequities in access to technology that still have not been fully addressed. In addition to faster internet connection speeds, companies can provide superior technology that makes work easier and more enjoyable such as high-tech conference rooms and advanced audiovisual equipment.
- Beautiful Spaces. Workers want to spend time in environments that are comfortable, appealing and inspiring. Offices should strive for thoughtful design and decor that entices workers out of their homes and makes them want to come to work.