Things The Pandemic Had Taught Us About Office Fit Out
Now that the world is gradually going back to normal, it is a wonderful moment to reflect on what the pandemic has taught us about office fit out. This is going to be significant in office design for the years to come. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic caught everyone off guard. It has introduced various changes and taught us so much about how to design, fit out, or refurbish a work environment. This article is prepared to explore the various shifts and lessons that are relevant today in office design as a result of the pandemic.
Reflections on office design as a result of the pandemic
An office is an extension of workers’ lives
Before the pandemic, the office was just a place where people commuted to work. Regular days at work involved accomplishing things on their waiting list and return to their homes at the end of the day. And, the cycle goes on every working day. The outbreak of the pandemic has made a shift in the roles of the workplace environment. It is now a great place where people come to communicate, grow, learn, engage, and inspire.
A post-COIVID-19 workplace is vital in extending workers’ lives instead of just being a siloed addition. The pandemic highlighted the benefit of working remotely, digital communication, and collaboration. So, a home is also viewed as a shared working environment. To anyone planning an office fit out today, it is important to consider an office as a social. The ideal office environment is a community and cornerstone for holistic wellbeing.
Pandemic proofing is fundamental
When needing to adjust your office layout, it is very important to mind your present and future needs. Making your office comply with safety guidelines today is essential. However, you have to think beyond 2021. Fortunately, leading fit out contractors in Dubai are forward-thinking and will recommend future-centric options for your office.
Although it is not possible to predict what the future might be, planning and preparing by having to create an office with the ability to adapt and evolve seamlessly will significantly pay off. The safety of staff and customers from accidents and disease is at the forefront today in the office environment. And, this is likely to stick around for many years after 2021. The good thing is making the right fit out adjustments in your office today will save you from having to do it at a later time you’ll definitely have to do it at some point.
Agile and activity-based working is key
When the pandemic had just broken out, having workers work from home was a proactive measure. However, this terrified workers and business owners in equal measure. Fortunately, the benefits of working remotely are now acknowledged by both workers and business owners. In fact, it has no negative impact on productivity and motivation. Many businesses have achieved immense success thanks to the introduction of remote and agile working for boosting staff performance.
For business owners hooked to the traditional way of assigning desks to staff in the office, the need to maintain social distancing at work has been an eye-opener. It is important to give employees choice and control over where they prefer working from. This is very important in ensuring that they accomplish assigned tasks seamlessly throughout the day. Equally important is improving sanitation in the workplace with regular sanitizing through the workplace.
Employee experience determines attraction and retention
It is important for business owners today to appreciate the importance of working towards improving employee experience. The shift in workplace attitudes including behaviors has brought a need to make your workplace an ideal place for working. With everyone today worried about their safety and work-life balance, you have to include these in your office fit out.
For coronavirus prevention, social distancing is essential through the arrangement of your office. And, sanitizing points from the entrance to the workstations is key. Employees want to live in an environment where they feel safe. Give an option to people who prefer working from their homes. And, limit the number of people coming into your office to make your staff feel safe. Failure to provide a safe working environment is likely to make employee attraction and retention hard.
Video technology can’t be ignored
The office of the future will rely heavily on video technology for various functions such as holding meetings with customers and staff. During a fit out, incorporating settings and furniture that supports video-based collaboration is a worthy investment. With some employees working remotely, video technology allows collaboration and meetings. In fact, video technology makes effective communication with the resident and remote workers.
When planning to fit out your business as a New Year strategy, it is important to keep the changes introduced by the pandemic in mind. things like social distancing in the workplace and remote working are likely to dominate work environments for many years to come.