The traditional workplace and workday are evolving. Gone are the days of punching in for eight hours of work in an office filled with rigid cubicles and uncomfortable chairs. Post-pandemic, workers are accustomed to the flexibility and comforts of working from home and expect the office to offer a similar experience. Welcome to the age of “homing from work.”
The “Homing from Work” Phenomenon
“Homing from work” goes beyond redesigning the office to make it feel like home. The “homing from work” phenomenon is a shift in worker expectations where they engage in more home-like activities at work. This can include greater socializing with coworkers through office clubs, groups, and activities; turning break time into nap time, especially in an office with home-like rooms or privacy pods; or even shopping or streaming movies at work.
While the shift to working from home during the pandemic exacerbated this blurring of professional and personal life, many workers were already pushing companies to either consistently enforce work-life balance or allow for greater flexibility in work-life integration. Americans work more hours than any other developed Western nation, leading many employees to feel like they “live” at the office, with technology keeping them constantly connected to work while also giving them the ability to manage personal matters during work hours.
The belief that you only work at the office and conduct your personal life at home is as outdated as a fax machine! Forward-thinking, visionary leaders know this and are embracing the “homing from work” experience for their organizations, in both their workplace culture and office design.
How to Create a “Homing from Work” Experience
While there may be concerns that “homing from work” will lead to an influx of non-professional activities and less productivity within the workplace, the opposite can be true by setting clear expectations with employees on how to blend their personal and professional time, allowing for flexible schedules, and designing a homier office.
Here are some ways you can bring “homing from work” to your workplace:
Comfortable Seating
People like working from home because it’s where they feel the most comfortable. The office will never be as comfy as home, but you can incorporate comfortable elements. Consider adding lounge areas with plush sofas, armchairs, and even bean bags, allowing employees to work in a more relaxed setting.
Cozy Corners
Design “cozy corners” that feel like a living room, with warm lighting, soft rugs, and personal touches like bookshelves or artwork for a home-like atmosphere within the office. These areas feel more relaxed and casual, helping to foster open conversations and collaboration between employees, which can lead to greater creativity and productivity.
Quiet Rooms
One of the perks of working remotely is getting your work done from the privacy and quiet of your home. But these can be hard to come by in a busy, open office. Designate rooms specifically for relaxation, quiet breaks, or meditation. These can provide a much-needed escape during a busy day and contribute to overall employee well-being.
Activity-Based Workspaces
Design areas with specific activities in mind, like brainstorming, solo work, or collaborative projects. Having a mix of spaces that are purposefully designed allows employees to choose the environment that best suits their work needs. This mirrors the remote work experience, when employees had the flexibility to work from different rooms or even locations throughout the day.
Personalization
Allow employees to personalize their workspaces and include them in customizing shared work areas or even designing the art that will be part of their space. This not only makes the office feel more like home but also encourages a sense of ownership and pride in the workplace.
Flexibility
From flexible work spaces to flexible work hours, employees want the ability to choose how they work. However, leadership’s goal may be to see more employees being more productive in the office. Offering flexible work scheduling can help achieve both these goals. Allowing employees to choose which days they work from the office, offering half-day work options, and making in-office days purposeful (e.g. scheduling meetings, presentations, and/or collaboration sessions) can reduce resistance to returning to the office and promote a healthier work-life balance.
Collaborative Culture
One of the main advantages of being in the office is the opportunity for face-to-face communication and collaboration with coworkers. Encourage employee interactions at the office with team-building activities, cross-departmental projects, and in-person communication, like team meetings or employee check-ins. Hosting regular social events, like themed lunches, happy hours, or wellness activities, can create a more cohesive work environment, one where employees feel like they’re part of a community and want to be in the office.
The Benefits of a “Homing from Work” Office
At first glance, it can seem like employees are the ones reaping all the benefits of “homing from work,” gaining more control of their workdays and workspaces with more “me time” and “fun” experiences while employers pay for redesigned, “homey” offices. Instead, think of it as an investment in your workforce. In prioritizing employee comfort, flexibility, and well-being, a “homing from work” approach to the office environment can lead to happier, more productive employees for a more profitable company.
Here are some of the ways a “homing from work” office can benefit your business’s bottom line:
Improve Productivity
When employees no longer feel they must separate their personal life from their work, they are less stressed and better able to manage their time and responsibilities in all aspects of their lives. This can improve worker focus and boost productivity, as employees who know they can freely tend to their personal lives while working are less distracted while completing work tasks.
Increase Employee Satisfaction and Retention
When an employee feels that their workplace values them as a person and supports their needs, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job and less likely to look for another one, improving worker retention and reducing costly employee turnover.
Attract Top Talent
Providing a “homing from work” environment can give your organization an edge when it comes to attracting top talent, especially Gen Z workers. These younger employees want a comfortable and casual workplace and greater flexibility, expecting a seamless blending of their professional and personal lives.
Less Need for Overtime or Remote Work
With a flexible “homing from work” office where employees can manage personal and work responsibilities, your workers may feel less pressure to work overtime or bring their work home—meaning you’ll be less likely to have to pay “time and a half” or grant “work from home” requests. When working long hours is needed or expected, having a more home-like environment helps employees to better manage their time and get the work done without feeling overburdened or burnt out.
Design a “Homing from Work” Office with Working Spaces
As architects of office culture, Working Spaces understands this shift in employee expectations and employer needs. We can transform your office into a “homing from work” experience that prioritizes employee comfort and flexibility with a variety of workspace design concepts that suit your business goals—from quiet zones for more focused individual work, to collaborative areas with a casual vibe that bring out the creativity in your teams.
Contact us today to see how we can design an office that feels like an extension of home for your workplace family!