As more companies adapt to remote work, employers are redesigning the office space, enticing employees to work in person.
Key details
Large businesses like Marriott and Spotify are revamping office spaces to draw employees back to the office, focusing on flexibility and comfort in the workplace.
Hotel chain Marriott had started construction on a new office building before the pandemic, but has now taken the opportunity to make the office space more friendly to employees’ changing needs, though Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano says there weren’t too many major changes.
At least one thing did change—the work stations. Some of the planned fixed workstations were reworked into more flexible collaborating work spaces, allowing more employees to work together, anticipating solo work will be done at home.
The building has perks for employees as well. An in-building daycare for children under five could be a major draw for parents readjusting to the working parent lifestyle. A gym with Peletons, meditation rooms, treadmill desks, and napping areas all focus on employees physical and mental health.
Spotify has also changed its workplace strategy, allowing employees some freedom to choose how and when they come into the office.
The audio streaming service is implementing what they call a “Dynamic Workplace approach.” In the rearranged office spaces, the company says it will be more “people-centric” in its design, allowing more flexibility and comfort for employees.
As more employees settle into their routines, whether predominantly in the office or at home, Spotify says it will continue to adapt and change the office space to what fits the employee needs best.
Why it’s news
More employers are having to make decisions about how, or if, their employees return to the office.
Recent surveys have revealed that many employees prefer work from home options, even saying that they would consider changing jobs or taking a pay decrease in order to continue working from home.
Even with employees preferring remote options, many employers are attempting to force a return to traditional office work.
Major companies like Apple, BlackRock, Prudential Financial, BMO Financial Group and more are trying to convince their employees to give up remote options.
Incentives at the office, like Marriott’s daycare and office gym or Spotify’s flexible workspace, could be a comfortable compromise between employees and employers. Allowing employees some of the same freedoms they enjoyed while working from home could coerce them back to the office.
