How to Achieve Work-Life Balance Today
How Can We Achieve the Optimal Work-Life Balance?
We have been seeing a lot of discussions lately around what the post-pandemic workplace will look like.
Most would agree that the term “workplace” has experienced an evolution, and now represents a more flexible space, which can be conducive to improved work-life balance. While it is true that 75 percent of the workforce wants more say in where and how they do business, we are also seeing some reluctance within C-Suites to make an official leap towards permanent hybrid workplaces.
As you can expect, this commitment to transition from a traditional office to a hybrid one comes with costs- and many corporations simply don’t want to spend that kind of money. However, in 2021 we witnessed, “The Great Reshuffle” where millions of workers quit their jobs for something more rewarding, more meaningful, and in search of better pay. We will continue to see this shuffle in 2022 and beyond, becoming the norm for people in their 20’s and 30’s who are posed to be professional nomads.
If corporations seeking this type of talent hope to stay and remain relevant amongst all of the shufflings, flexibility will be just as pertinent as other standard benefits we have traditionally focused on in the past. As we are all forced to consider these changing landscapes, we wanted to offer some strategies that companies can begin implementing to be relevant to attract and retain talent in a flexible and work-life focused world.
Permanently Implement A Hybrid Workplace
Putting your people first will always be the first step in communicating that your organization cares. It is important to understand that not all people work or function the same. Many workers thrive when they are given choices and opportunities to be in environments that are a catalyst to produce their best work. The office should provide adaptable, free-flowing spaces that focus on bringing teams together for highly valued and inclusive experiences when in the office. Keep reading to learn the elements that will help your hybrid model become successful.
Create a Corporate Hub that Incentivizes In-Office Working
Consider Designing for Positive Culture
When creating a corporate hub, the physical office should be the primary spot where employees can meet, get to know one another, and build an office culture at a more personal level. The office space should support team-building and provide several flexible spaces that can quickly shift to meet the needs of teams of various sizes. Technology plays a key role in a successful office hub by incorporating video conferencing spaces, meeting spaces, and many opportunities to be collaborative whether you’re remote or in-office.
It is also critical that you ensure all technology is mobile and can quickly shift from a casual group setting in a lounge area to a more formal setting around tables and chairs. Ultimately, your interior design is all about being adaptable and meeting the needs of all workers throughout the day.
Add Incentives That Employees Won’t Find At Home
Additionally, the office should provide individual focus areas and resources that may be unavailable in a home office. That could mean that you add a library, a host of relevant literature, easy-access software, and faster, more modern technology than what workers won’t have access to at home. For instance, the hotel workstation design that many offices came to know before the pandemic is here to stay. According to OfficeSpace IQ, there are many perks to offering hoteling:
“The benefits of office hoteling come from its marriage of order and freedom. Just like you’re free to pick the room that’s right for you at the hotel you want over-defined dates, hotel desking works the same way. There’s freedom of choice dictated by standardization.”
Ensure Proper Ergonomics for the At-Home Work
Currently, many companies utilize a hybrid model that schedules employees to work from home two days a week, and in-office three. Remember, when you break down the percentage of time that employee spends at home, it comes out to 40% of their workweek. This is no small amount and furthers the argument that work-life balance must be achieved for productive workforces.
To start, consider providing an ergonomic work setting in their home office, which can help to ensure their health and productivity are being valued no matter where they are working. This type of lifestyle support doesn’t cost much on the frontend, and will most certainly pay off for years to come. It has also been shown that following proper ergonomics while working can:
Reduce Costs - with approximately $1 out of every $3 in workers compensation costs attributed to Musculoskeletal Disorders, this represents an opportunity for significant cost savings
Improve Productivity by 25%
Improve Quality of work by reducing errors by 67%
Improve employee engagement when your workers notice that the company is putting forth their best efforts to ensure their health and safety
Improve safety and culture by creating healthy employees, which will be your most valuable asset of all
The combination of implementing an intentional and well-designed corporate hub with a fully supported home-office setup provides the best spectrum of opportunities to provide productivity and mental health for workers. With these pillars in place, you can look forward to a strong culture, an adaptable workspace, and an upward trajectory all around. Change may not always be easy, but it is necessary for growth.
Create an Intentional Space that Meets Your Work-Life Needs
Intentional Spaces is a full-service interior design firm focused on corporate, home offices, living spaces, and so much more. We provide space plans, finish selections, decorative accessories, lighting, artwork, ergonomic solutions, custom closet designs, and furnishings. We are workplace professionals with nearly 30 years of workplace design, efficiencies, and know-how to make your office productive. We can work with any budget to create a design that is as unique as you. Every design is a collaborative effort to personalize every element that considers your work style, job tasks, and personal taste. Intentional Spaces will develop a design that will meet each client’s individual expectations and needs.