With COVID cases subsiding and vaccinations rising, many businesses are returning (or bracing their return) to old office routines. But will employees want to return to their workspace when it’s safe again? More than likely, they will not. The pandemic and the luxury of working remotely have heavily influenced employees’ needs, desires, and expectations in the workplace going forward.

As the first wave of re-openings commences—allowing for up to 50% of employees in the office at a time—companies can retrofit their workplace into a space their business executives will look forward to and feel comfortable returning to. The office you left over a year ago in favor of remote work is most likely not equipped for life post-pandemic. From spacing desks six feet apart, creating socially distant common areas, and implementing visual design cues to enforce one-way traffic and social distancing, change to your office space is inevitable.

However, there’s more to think about than creating a socially distant office space when preparing for the return to the office. The things your employees enjoyed most about their office before leaving for the pandemic have become even more important, while the things that frustrated them will become large barriers if not addressed. Based on the insight we’ve gained from some of our clients and leaders in the industry, we’ve gathered a list of our top office design improvements to consider making before welcoming your executives back with open arms.

Ergonomic Office Spaces

As executives leave the comfort of their home, the biggest adjustment they will face is parting ways with the at-home conveniences they've grown accustomed to — like being surrounding by their pets and being always within arm’s reach of a coffee pot. While some things may not be allowed in the office (like your sweatpants), companies can help ease the transition by providing executives with the flexibility of customizing your office space to feel more like home.

For some employees, this may include adding pictures and plants to their office space, whereas others may request upgraded tech setups like the ones they have been working with at home, such as secondary monitors.

With more focus on health and safety, many employees are looking for ways to improve their sedentary work style by adopting ergonomic furniture. To help support your employee's productivity levels and their well-being, install sit-stand desks and ergonomic chairs in the office space to allow employees to fully customize their desk setup to their needs.

If you're looking for ergonomic executive office furniture that features a diverse range of styles and materials, the Teknion Expansion CaseGoods Collection has a broad range of freestanding applications and diverse office plans to fit your needs and your budget.

Outdoor Design

Many employees used the convenience of working remotely to enjoy the great outdoors—whether logging in from their backyards, taking walks throughout the day, or embracing the natural light from their home office. In fact, recent studies have revealed a strong correlation between nature, productivity, and worker morale. As a result, leadership teams may be open to the idea of their employees working in outdoor settings throughout the workday.

Via Seating — Splash Air Stackable Chair — **Via Seating** — Splash Air Stackable Chair

To help bring the outdoors inside, many businesses are also incorporating greenery and natural materials in their office spaces. Companies like Quiet Earth Moss create custom green spaces indoors to help increase productivity and well-being.

Convertible Conference Spaces

While enclosed cubicles may seem like the most effective way to transform the office and promote a healthy workspace, this workplace design encourages solidarity—the opposite of what many executives and employees are looking for in their return to the office. As many companies opt for hybrid work schedules, individuals are turning to the workplace to help build community, reinforce shared visions, and strengthen relationships with each other which is something a virtual workplace cannot provide.

For those that work primarily alone, “officles” are becoming an extremely popular solution. Built of three walls, these modern cubicles allow air to flow freely throughout the space while still ensuring individuals are not left in solidarity.

JSI Flux Plan — Storage Supported Fixed Height Benching — **JSI Flux Plan** — Storage Supported Fixed Height Benching

When collaboration is necessary, or for individuals that work in team settings, multi-function spaces are essential—this way, you can eliminate enclosed conference spaces, too. Look for spaces that can be used as individual workstations and highly collaborative team meetings to create a multi-functional work area.

Regardless of when your business is planning to return to the office, your employee's needs and desires have changed from the last time they were in the office. With more focus on staying productive and healthy, ergonomic solutions are essential to individual workstations and new design trends are being implemented to help increase overall morale. Plus, with more companies utilizing hybrid work schedules, multi-functional work areas are the newest, and one of the safest, office designs.

Whether you’re looking for new office furniture or need assistance designing a new office space for your team of employees, the OfficeWorks team has the resources and expertise to deliver the high-quality office furniture you and your team need to return to the office. Ready to explore office furniture and design options? Contact us today to get started and we can recommend some products designed to fit your needs and space.

Bringing Executives Back to the Office

Ergonomic Office Spaces

Outdoor Design

Convertible Conference Spaces