Employee expectations have changed significantly in the last year due to the increase in telework. The office is no longer called a place where an employee sits at a desk, trying to block out background noise, waiting for the hands-of-the-clock to count to 17.

The pandemic has shown office workers that there is an alternative – one that gives people the freedom to work in different spaces tailored to their needs and desires. Having opened up a whole new alternative to the work known so far, many do not want to return to the universal approach that was so common until recently.

The pandemic has accelerated the realization that business is not where you go, but something you do, no matter where it happens. And employees – empowered and driven by technology, are asking companies to do more in terms of support and their mental health. Currently, it is the employees who drive and accelerate change. Companies need to rethink their policies, keeping in mind the workforce.

Many companies, from technology to finance, are now moving towards more hybrid work models that include homes, offices, and other remote locations, and redesigning their spaces and strategies to put people first and give them a better workplace experience.

So what do today’s employees now expect from the workplace?

NO NEED TO BE IN THE OFFICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM

With video conferencing and a variety of digital collaboration tools, people can work from anywhere. A recent survey found that employees want to work remotely 2.4 days a week after the end of a pandemic – twice as much as what was previously considered the norm. A better work-life balance is now considered more important than a comfortable wage for many workers.

Moreover, 71 percent say they expect a more flexible work schedule. For companies, this requires a change in thinking in managing traditional ways of working regarding employees, looking at new ways to retain employees and maintain their productivity.

WORKSPACES SHOULD ENABLE A FLEXIBLE WORKING STYLE

Flexible operation requires more flexible space. Whether it is a desk in the premises intended for the cooperation of third parties between meetings with clients, or smaller so-called. “Satellite offices” (an office rented outside the main office, usually in more remote places to reduce travel time) – it is seen that landlords need their own flexible space to meet labor demand with these new patterns of work and life.

Also, the space inside the office itself is becoming more versatile. Because typical workdays include a variety of tasks, from group meetings, private conversations to replying to emergency emails, it’s not all easy to do in crowded offices where a meeting room is lacking. Jobs are instead transformed into different areas for collaboration, private work, or relaxation and equipped accordingly. Also, current and potential employees are increasingly looking at the good equipment of the buildings themselves – from ventilation and air conditioning, enough natural light, some plants, all the way to video surveillance and security guards at the entrance. All this affects the overall satisfaction of employees and thus their productivity.

TIME SPENT IN THE OFFICE IS A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE

Many people like to walk into an office to see their colleagues. In hybrid models, offices will be spaces where people interact, either in group meetings or in informal conversations, while at home they are far more focused on work. Companies are increasingly introducing spaces and facilities to encourage interaction, such as lounge areas that increasingly resemble living rooms. A survey found that as many as 49% of employees expect rooms designed to encourage interaction to improve their office experience.

EMPLOYERS HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT

Digitization is entering all spheres of life – as well as offices. It is high time the business owners realized this. Shared documents are stored in the clouds, and more and more communication takes place through various team collaboration software. Poor internet signal and poor equipment will affect productivity and frustrate employees who don’t have enough time to do all the tasks anyway. As the hybrid model of work occupies the scene more and more, it certainly applies to the equipment used at home, as well as to the equipment in the office. Surveys show that as many as 75% of employees expect their employer to support their work from home – and that includes equipment.

There is simply no point in negotiating about investing in technology. Companies need to have a clear view of digitalization as this technology will be the dominant driver regarding solutions to improve employee performance and productivity in the workplace.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT – AND COMPANIES SHOULD SUPPORT IT

Healthy workplaces are a priority – and employees expect their offices to be safe in terms of air quality and cleanliness, as well as social distance. Approximately one in three employees expect lower office desk density and physical distance in the workplace.

Equally, companies need to show how they support employees in the workplace through the benefits and services they offer, whether it’s free health checkups, flexible working hours, or relaxation rooms.

It can be concluded that the health and well-being of employees are paramount to business success! Now more than ever. Therefore, as a business owner, provide your employees with adequate workspace, conditions in which they do not have to think about whether they harm their health, keep up with digitalization and trends, and success is guaranteed. And leave all other financial worries to Confida – and focus on your core business.