Workplace variety key to successful hybrid office
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — The evolution of the workplace into a hybrid model isn’t just about increasing office attendance; it’s about ensuring a high-quality experience for employees when they do choose to come in.
According to Peggie Rothe, Chief Insights and Research Officer at Leesman, variety in office design is fundamental to achieving this goal. Recent research by Leesman, analyzing over 1.3 million employee responses about office experiences and 500,000 about remote work, reveals that variety is the fundamental element for creating an exceptional hybrid workplace.
The business case for outstanding offices
A well-designed office space delivers multiple strategic advantages. When employees have access to diverse work environments, they experience increased productivity, stronger team collaboration, and a deeper sense of organizational pride.
Beyond traditional design
Organizations don’t need lavish budgets to create effective hybrid workspaces. Even public sector institutions have successfully implemented unassigned workspaces with various settings that achieve high satisfaction scores. The key lies in understanding employee needs and creating spaces that support both “snorkeling” tasks – which can handle interruptions – and “deep diving” work requiring complete concentration.
The commute factor
To address the persistent challenge of commuting, some organizations are exploring decentralized office hubs or third spaces closer to employees’ homes. This approach maintains access to collaborative spaces while reducing travel burden.
The research demonstrates that workplaces offering high variety consistently achieve superior satisfaction scores across multiple metrics. By providing flexible environments that accommodate different work styles and activities, organizations can create spaces that truly serve their hybrid workforce’s diverse needs.
