Lucy Minton, Co-Founder and COO of Kitt, shares her tips on how businesses can implement an effective return to the office.
While there is a clear momentum to get back into the office, with the July 19th date causing everyone to rush to get ready, it is important to take a step back to assess how we can best use the office after 18 months away.
There is a lot of talk in the media about the disruption this continual delay is causing on the running of business; however, rather than worrying about reaching a full house, businesses should use this time to explore ‘pro-productivity’ by creating an environment that encourages collaboration and creativity.
Research has found that only 8% of UK workers are engaged in their workplace. Whilst this figure may have changed throughout the covid period, it is clear that getting back into the office isn’t the most taxing of issues for UK businesses.
While the developing style of hybrid working seems to promise more efficiency and a better work/life balance, there are still a few kinks to be worked out. Here are a few tips to implement to ensure the encouragement of this pro-productivity in our return to the workplace:
Upgrade your communication
A recent study by Slack found communication to be a big issue with the new style of hybrid/remote working, with a fifth of those surveyed saying they’ve struggled having some employees in the workplace and some not, and more than half (56%) stating they’d consider leaving their position if the team’s communication did not improve.
With this new, post-covid style of working, the integration of both solid communication systems and regular team catch-ups is key. At Kitt, we use Asana to track all comms, but running an organisation effectively in this fashion requires commitment from every team member to keep up to date on records for those who may be out-of-office.
Whilst the flexibility of a hybrid workplace can seem liberating, it can leave employees feeling distant and lacking those important physical interactions. To reduce the effect of this on employee productivity, regular in-person meetings can give time for that all important team-bonding, as well as any wellbeing check-ins that may be missed through a computer screen.
Ensuring employees are engaged and connected can make a huge difference to their performance. In addition, increased positive interactions with staff can allow them to feel more satisfied, and less anxious, about returning to work, encouraging more back into the office.
Design inspiring work environments
The modern office is no longer a space for employees to sit at their desk from 9 to 5.
Throughout the covid-era, employees have become accustomed to comfort and preference in the shape of their own homes as working environments, and thus have very different expectations of the workplace. Now, the office needs to be a space worth leaving their homes for.
The arrangement of the working environment is crucial, as it is reflected in the way we work. Research shows that a well-designed office can increase employee productivity by up to 20%. So, office furnishings and layout play a key role in the running of a business, as well as allowing employees a comfortable and sociable space to increase morale, motivation and teamwork on their return to the office.
In a post-pandemic, hybrid-working world, it is more important than ever for businesses to create innovative and creative spaces which embrace modern technology, if they expect the same from their employees. Workspaces should move away from the classic yet mundane black or grey desks and chairs, and move to encourage creativity, and thus productivity, to thrive.
This is why at Kitt, we take the time to understand how our client and their team work and get to the heart of their day-to-day activity, working with them to create a unique space that hits all of their needs.
Collaboration is key
After a year of remote working, the eagerness of some to return to the office is understandable. Whilst collaboration can be achieved through working from home, take those days in the office when the team is together to really focus on synergy, bonding and productivity.
It is important to ask yourself – why am I bringing employees into the office if they can do the same job at home?
Human-connection and teamwork building are really important factors in running a successful business, and shaping a space around this is key. Perhaps, instead of desks, bring in comfortable meeting or breakout areas with sofas and coffee tables, mimicking the environments we have all become accustomed to over the covid-era, to encourage a sense of collaboration and productivity as a team.
Whilst returning to the office seems to be hailed as a big step for work rate efficiency, it alone is simply not enough. Businesses must take these extra steps to actively engage and enthuse staff if they wish to increase team-efficiency and overall employee satisfaction.
The focus needs to move from where teams work to how they work together. When moving back from remote working to a hybrid or office workspace, the most important thing is to communicate with your team, encourage active collaboration and understand what works best for them as a collective.
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