Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Remember the 1999 movie “Office Space”? It featured several famous actors including Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, Ron Livingston, and Stephen Root. The movie has become a cult classic and is the subject of many internet memes.
The reason I’m mentioning “Office Space” (the movie) is because office space (the space) remains a hot topic today. Even if we’re not talking about onsite / hybrid / remote work, employees want to work someplace nice. Seriously, if an employee is spending 8 hours a day someplace – that’s one third of their day – it should be nice.
So, I wanted to put together a roundup of articles focused on office space. If you’re trying to find ways to make the office environment more inviting, these might be helpful.
Your Office Space Should Be Determined by Your Work (Not Your Pay Status)
As the business world changes, we must challenge our thought processes. A decade ago, maybe it was okay to assign office space by pay status. Today, maybe we have to revisit that idea. Our job as HR professionals is to help the organization realize that changes need to be made and facilitate a conversation about the best options for the company.
How to Design Your Company’s Flexible Workspace Plan
I don’t believe there’s any doubt – employees want flexible work if they can get it. Granted, not every job is able to offer flexibility. For example, the barista at your local coffeehouse isn’t going to be able to work from home. But there are many positions that can and do work outside of a traditional office environment. The question for human resources professionals is, “What’s the best workspace setup?”
Open Office Spaces: How to Be Productive and Effectively Collaborate
Nearly 70% of offices have open layouts that are characterized by areas with no partitions and cubicles with low or high partitions, according to the International Facility Management Association. However, there’s some question about the effectiveness of open office space. And no one wants to work in an unproductive office.
The Envy Office: Can Instagrammable Design Lure Young Workers Back?
I know this New York Times article got some pushback when it first came out, but I believe there’s a point in the piece. Organizations don’t have to decorate in what might be considered bold colors, but they do need to remember that places that are aesthetically pleasing can be fun and bring out creativity.
As Office Workers Make Their Return, So Does the Lowly Cubicle
One of the best things about having an “office” is being able to make it your own with plants, pictures, etc. I know some office environments discourage personalizing your space, but maybe this New York Times article will offer some reasons for letting employees make their cubicles more reflective of themselves.
Maybe Third Spaces Are the New Remote Workplaces
Third Spaces are being described as places where we can blend work and wellness. A Third Space can also be an option for organizations that are committed to allowing employees to work remotely. There will still be times when you want the team to get together. And it’s possible there’s not enough onsite space to host everyone.
There’s no one right way to design office space. Organizations should consider:
- How much space is available?
- How many employees will be using the space?
- What type of work needs to be done?
- Are there any safety considerations?
- What’s the company culture?
Regardless of the whole onsite / hybrid / remote conversation going on, organizations need to have functional office space for their employees. The office space needs to be nice enough to keep employees wanting to come back because that’s what will create the right environment for the work to get done.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Nashville, TN
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