It’s no secret that returning to the office in the wake of COVID-19 has been a fraught experience for many companies. As late as June 2022, Gallup reported that of the over 70 million American workers whose jobs can be done from home, only 20% were working entirely on-site—down from 60% in 2019. It appears that among U.S. knowledge workers, hybrid work is still increasing, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon.

On the other hand, 82% of business decision makers (BDMs) are concerned about getting workers back into the office. Unless they want to risk alienating a workforce that has gained, on average, 8.5 hours of free time a week by not commuting, BDMs need to demonstrate the importance of on-site work with compelling reasons.

According to Microsoft CMO Chris Capossela, the key to making on-site work attractive again is simple: Make it social. Of all the things they lost when offices shut down in 2020, the thing employees miss the most is the relationships they built with other team members. Capossela argues that not only can restoring these bonds make workers happier—it can also make them more productive. In a recent article for the Harvard Business Review, he writes, “In-person socializing is not taking away from productivity—it’s fueling innovation, psychological safety, retention, and more.”

So how can you make your office conducive to socializing and productive collaboration? The expert space planners at OfficeWorks are here to help. We offer the latest in versatile workspace designs from top manufacturers—collections like the Upstage Four from Teknion, shown above—that combine soft seating, lounge spaces, and individual workstations to turn any office into an innovation hub.

If you’re thinking about an office redesign, reach out to the OfficeWorks team today and let us help make your office as rewarding and productive as it can be.

The Benefits of a Social Office