Remedying Reluctance: Bringing Employees Back into the Office with Innovative Design

Post-COVID, businesses are looking to bring employees back into the office after the rise of hybrid and remote work. Office furniture companies play a crucial role in helping to create inviting and enticing environments for your clients to achieve this. So, here are 5 key reasons why employees may prefer to work from home, and how your innovative furniture designs can address these concerns.  

Increased Productivity 

Employees tend to feel more productive at home due to fewer distractions and the ability to personalise their workspace.

How do we combat this? 

• Implement sound mapping and odour management strategies to reduce sensory distractions. Have a look at our guides for information on how to do this. 

• Creating effective private spaces/zones is important to allow employees to focus without disruption. 

• Design a variety of workstation types to suit different tasks and working styles. 

Autonomy and Control 

The ability to customise and control your home working environment improves comfort and confidence. Here’s how to instil that feeling in the office: 

• Provide interactive and customisable furniture, allowing employees to personalise their own setup. 

• Modular furniture, adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs help to provide comfort and accommodate individual preferences. 

• Creative décor is known to stimulate brainstorming and innovation, a great way to create an inspiring working environment. 

• Implementing clear wayfinding in larger offices helps employees to navigate the space independently and choose their ideal work area. 

Health and Wellbeing 

Naturally, remote work reduces exposure to common office illnesses, making employees feel more in control of their physical health. The added safety of home puts anxieties at ease, promoting mental wellbeing. 

How do we enhance office health and safety? 

• Ensuring proper ventilation, installing air purification systems and bringing plants into the space helps to clear the air naturally, reducing the risk of spreading illness. 

• Opt for easy-to-clean furniture made with bacteria-resistant materials. Check out our information on epoxy flooring in offices here.  

• Maximise natural light in the office. This helps to diminish eye strain and stress for employees using screens for extended periods of time. 

Inclusivity and Pets 

Home environments are often more accommodating for individuals with diverse needs.  

How do we create a more inclusive office space? 

• Accessible office furniture, like adjustable desks, are essential for wheelchair users to feel comfortable in the space. 

• Provide dedicated rooms for spiritual practices and contemplation. 

• Incorporate gender neutral toilets and nursing rooms to relieve personal stress. 

• If possible, designate areas that are pet-friendly to accommodate those with animal companions. 

Better Work-Life Balance

The location of the office may limit personal task completion during working hours, but you can still promote a healthy work-life balance by: 

• Creating social and rest spaces within the office 

• Designing inviting coffee stations, chill-out areas and outdoor spaces for relaxation and breaks.  

• Encourage the use of these social spaces to foster togetherness and teamwork between employees. 

  
  

Thoughtful furniture choice and office design helps to address these key concerns, helping you create workspaces for your clients that not only bring employees back into the office but also enhance their overall work experience. The key is to make the office a destination that offers unique benefits that cannot be replicated at home. By offering innovative solutions that consider concerns and preferences, you can design an office that your clients are excited to return to, facilitating collaboration, creativity and company culture amongst the employees.