The Role of Office Design in Building Company Culture in Hybrid Work
Office space plays an important role in fostering company culture. And even though offices have gone through a lot of changes in recent years, this remains true as many companies embrace the concept of hybrid work.
Even when people are spending a good amount of time working remotely, it’s still important for them to feel like they belong to part of a larger group. But in 2022, Gartner reported that a survey they conducted among hybrid and remote workers found that only 1 in 4 people said they felt connected to their company’s culture.
When people feel connected and engaged at work, the more likely it is they’ll stay with the company. While things like virtual events and making sure employee achievements are recognized can be effective ways to help people feel engaged and connected while working remotely, offices can be vital in supporting social and cultural needs.
Many of the most common reasons why people choose to come to the office are rooted in the need for face-to-face interactions. Some people simply feel lonely working at home while younger workers are often interested in being mentored by people with more experience. Or a person who has recently joined a company might be looking to socialize with their new colleagues and have better access to leadership. Collaborative spaces and social areas in the office are no longer something that’s just nice to have – they’re essential for helping build that valuable company culture.
Designing offices with social connection in mind allows those connections to happen effortlessly and makes building company culture feel natural. There are many different ways you can go about this, but thinking about your layout is a good place to start. When an office is designed to encourage people to move around during the day, it’s more likely they’ll have interactions with their colleagues.
It’s also important to provide a variety of different spaces to work in. Workstations that make it easy for people to collaborate or train on new skills are good to have, but having the option of being able to move between different areas during the day can also help support social connections. Informal spaces like break rooms give people a chance to meet up in a no-pressure setting while lounge areas and outdoor spaces can easily support both collaboration and casual socialization. For more focused work, privacy pods and semi-private meeting areas can help people be more productive.
Another idea to consider is adding a feature that invites people to relax a little bit during the work day. Sometimes, people have a hard time letting themselves step out of work mode. But something like an on-site game room can encourage people to embrace a balance of work and play, while engaging with their coworkers at the same time.
Need help creating an office that will help you build a stronger culture? Premier Construction & Design has experience designing and building offices for companies in a wide range of industries in the Metro Detroit area. When you’re ready to get started, contact us so that we can learn more about your project.
