The idea of creating a workspace in the modern world is a conflicted and controversial one. In the right contexts, a shared work environment can be a productive and comfortable space for both employees and employer. Much of the time, though, employees don’t necessarily feel this way about it, despite the social advantages that they can bring over home working.
How your business offers its work environment will make a difference in how happy your employees are, how enthusiastic people feel about applying for work with you, and how much you’re spending in this area.
Hybrid/Remote/Office
There is a lot of room to maneuver when it comes to customizing your work environment. While you might have a preference for how your employees work, it’s important to take their considerations into account as well. For example, if you do prefer that everyone comes into the office every workday, being slightly more flexible and adding a hybrid element might be a compromise that leads to everyone being slightly happier. It’s a different way of doing things, but it showcases a trust in your employees that they might bring with them into their work, offering the advantages of both home working and a shared office environment.
Of course, you might want to go the whole way and simply work remotely. While this might feel more extreme, it does include several advantages, such as removing the need to pay for an office which could make a lot of extra room in your budget.
Safe and Secure
No matter what you choose in this regard, it’s paramount that you make the safety of your employees a top priority. In a physical, shared environment this means proper security that prevents anyone who isn’t allowed access inside – also ensuring that employees’ belongings are kept safe while on the premises. It also means that you have to work to maintain an environment that puts their wellbeing first, allowing them access to HR if they feel as though they aren’t as comfortable as they should be.
Both in physical spaces and remote work environments, though, you will want to provide the best digital security possible. An MDR system can help you to prevent the possibility of a data breach, meaning that customer and employee information is kept as safe as possible.
The Nature of the Physical Space
As well as a positive emotional environment, a shared physical workspace should also be comfortable in its aesthetics and offerings. A drab, sterile office environment might damage morale and could result in a situation where your employees are suffering mental health impacts simply due to how much time they’re spending here. Making the most of natural light and utilizing house plants can help to enrich a sense of connection with the outside world, and the applied use of color can help to add much more life to the space. You might also think about how you use negative space – adopting a more open plan setting to allow employees a breathable and spacious environment.
