99 Things You Need to Know Now
The places where people start their workday in the office are an important part of social infrastructure. Both people who work in the office everyday and those who toggle between office and home need to feel welcomed. With fewer assigned desks, people’s routines change. New workplace designs should invite people in, give them a destination, a way to comfortably transition into their workday — and solve the pragmatic question of where do I put my stuff?
These spaces need to deliver variety and vitality people are seeking. Nobody wants to walk into a place that feels empty. New Steelcase research asked employees about their reasons for coming into the office. While the top reasons are about completing tasks, employees also want to make connections.
come to the office are:
2 Focus work
3 Access to tools and technology
4 Sense of belonging
5 Feeling of shared purpose
6 Connect with leaders
7 Socialize and have fun
to the office for
a purpose —
to get work
done and make
connections.
Employee Research 2022
spaces boost productivity in six key ways.
For many, the way we contribute to society and community is through our work — and this contributes to identity. Coming together for a common goal is an aspect of how we understand ourselves.
Social Norms
Culture is always evolving. When people connect, culture is strengthened as people are reminded of ‘how things get done around here.’ When people understand the unwritten rules of an organization through regular interactions with others, they feel more included in the fabric of the organization.
Social Learning
65% of what employees learn comes from co-workers, 15% from managers (Source: Human Resource Development International). Whether it’s formal or informal, learning happens best when you are actively engaged with others.
Teams with a collective understanding of a problem or shared empathy for a customer can achieve better results. This kind of growth happens together — through connecting and investing time, collaborating, communicating and coordinating.
Social Fabric
When people are able to connect and build relationships, they increase levels of trust and compassion. This safety net of solid relationships gives people confidence to take risks and be creative.
Social Capital
Social capital describes the web of connections across an organization through which we can learn, stretch, grow and cooperate. The opportunity to tap into your network to ask for advice and test ideas is rewarding for you and the company.
Hybrid models often mean organizations do not know how many people will be in the office on any given day. High-performance social spaces can serve as additional shared work spaces when occupancy is high.
By creating social spaces that are multi-modal — supporting multiple modes of work — people can use the same place to do different kinds of work, whether it’s individual tasks, collaborating with others, rejuvenating or spending social time together.
a variety of privacy options including protection and shielding at their back.
A range of postures support different ways of working — particularly for light focus, social connections and collaboration. Ample work surfaces and easy access
to power are critical. Lighting and biophilic elements enhance the personality
of the spaces.
“The mistake right now is to do nothing. What we know about increasing the use
of shared spaces was true before the pandemic and it’s even more true now,” says Meg Bennett, Steelcase global principal designer. “Hybrid work
demands more from shared spaces. There’s no reason not to put what we know into action.”
Hybrid models often mean organizations do not know how many people will be in the office on any given day. High-performance social spaces can serve as additional shared work spaces when occupancy is high.
By creating social spaces that are multi-modal — supporting multiple modes of work — people can use the same place to do different kinds of work, whether it’s individual tasks, collaborating with others, rejuvenating or spending social time together.
Great social spaces balance people’s desire to connect with their need to hide away at times. People appreciate having a variety of privacy options including protection and shielding at their back. A range of postures support different ways of working — particularly for light focus, social connections and collaboration. Ample work surfaces and easy access to power are critical. Lighting and biophilic elements enhance the personality of the spaces.
“The mistake right now is to do nothing. What we know about increasing the use of shared spaces was true before the pandemic and it’s even more true now,” says Meg Bennett, Steelcase global principal designer. “Hybrid work demands more from shared spaces. There’s no reason not to put what we know into action.”
IBM, global director of
workplace, technology,
design & integrated solutions
A range of solutions include giving everyone access to spaces with visual, acoustic and territorial privacy.
Whether lounge, task, stool-height or standing, people need a variety of seating to meet their needs and preferences.
Intentionally plan the relationships between individuals, their technology and analog tools like whiteboards, the furniture and the layout of the space.
Create spaces that exude the brand and culture of a company to attract and retain talent.
Create Beautiful Places That Work, Your WayExplore the Steelcase Design Collection — our
community of industry-leading furnishings brands with
classic, modern and innovative works by renowned
designers around the world.
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