Workplaces have experienced massive transformation in the past two years thanks to the COVID19 pandemic. At the emergence of the pandemic, organizations were forced to adapt to a whole new way of working, and office life has since changed forever. As normalcy returns, offices continue to adapt to the post-COVID19 changes that extend into 2022 and beyond. This article shares top modern workspace trends in 2022 to improve company culture and boost employee productivity with flexible workspaces.
Remote and Hybrid Workplaces
Hybrid and remote working remains one of the biggest workplace trends in 2022 and beyond. During the pandemic, many employees were forced to work from home, and employers have finally realized the benefits of flexible working. Ideally, the flexibility provided to employees by remote working directly impacts their productivity and job satisfaction while reducing workplace challenges.
A 2022 Global Culture Study by O.C. Tanner Institute reveals that 64% of respondents prefer flexible workspace in the office. Today, more and more organizations are partnering with co-working spaces to increase work flexibility for their employees. Since most co-working spaces such as Quest Workspaces provide 24/7 access, it provides employees more control over their workday and hours by making use of the flexible working hours.
The emergence of “Resimercial” Office Design
Today's workers expect contemporary homely office aesthetics. Organizations are discarding the standard office cubicles for resimercially-designed offices that boost employee morale and productivity. A resimercial office design seeks to incorporate elements of residential interior design into the workspaces. This includes using splashes of bold color, attractive light fixtures, and plants in the office space. Natural office elements like plants and green walls help create a calmer environment while reducing employee anxiety and stress. Other elements of this design include adding recreational lounge spaces and opting for a more varied layout that delivers a mix of collaborative and solo, quiet spaces designed to allow both co-working and focused concentration.
Virtual Communication Tools
Communication, collaboration, and engagement have since evolved with modern technology. Virtual team communication is now integral to modern workspaces and central to hybrid work success. In 2022, employees need to leverage various digital tools to communicate, share work and engage. Because virtual communication greatly impacts productivity, ensuring the remote team communicates well is integral to getting the work done within the provided deadlines. Some of the channels that support business communication while increasing team productivity include:
- Instant messaging apps such as Teams, Slack, Whatsapp, or iMessage
- Video conferencing software like Hangouts, Cospace and Nextiva
- Project management tools like Trello and ASABA
- Email tools such as Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail
- Social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter
- Phone calls: Desk phones, VOIP apps, mobile phones
Health and well-being of employees
The pandemic has thrust staff well-being into sharp focus. Healthy and happy workers are critical to your company's productivity and profitability. Employee physical and mental health is now at the top of the agenda when designing a new workspace. Studies reveal focusing on employee mental and physical health translates to fewer sick days and better staff retention. Some of the new changes in the office that help employees achieve better health and well-being include:
- A sit-stand desk: Studies reveal sitting all day is bad for your health. Standing at your desk for even a small amount of time daily has massive health benefits. It lowers stress, reduces blood pressure, and eases pressure on the spine.
- Ergonomic chairs: Ergonomic chairs are a great workspace investment in modern offices today. These chairs are optimized to prevent neck and lower back pain due to prolonged sitting. Providing your employees with chairs that can adjust to support the spine is key to healthier posture, better concentration, and overall productivity.
Emphasis on work-life balance
Employees desire a better work-life balance that benefits their well-being. Emphasis on work-life balance is now one of the big modern workplace trends. With revelations that up to 69% of all employees have experienced burnouts, ensuring a robust work-life balance in your workplace helps keep employees happy and satisfied, ultimately boosting overall productivity. In an effort to support work-life balance, modern workspaces are now offering fitness centers, cafeterias, childcare, and medical care.
Optimize Employee Productivity with Quest Workspaces Solutions
There is no doubt the pandemic has permanently changed the way we work. Organizations have adapted to the new trend of full-time remote and hybrid workplaces supported by digital advances. Staying ahead of these trends is crucial for retaining retain top talent, enhancing workplace productivity, and positioning your team for success in the post-pandemic future.
Co-working spaces offer small and medium-sized businesses a cost-effective way to incorporate various elements of modern workspace trends to help them meet employee expectations and compete effectively with larger organizations. At Quest Workspaces, we provide modern collaborative and private workspaces designed to optimize productivity, reduce business costs and boost profitability. Contact us today to schedule a tour in a location near you.
