The employee experience has been through many volatile cycles in recent years, from the crazy startup years to COVID and now the return-to-office (RTO) drive via various leadership mandates is picking up the pace.
One solution for businesses facing the office space crisis and trying to herd their happy remote workers back to the ranch is the art of “office peacocking.” Creating visually impressive, experience-led workplaces to entice employees back in.
New workplace data from 360 Workplace highlights how 70% of employees say workplace design directly impacts job satisfaction. Also, those operating in well-designed spaces take 1.5 fewer sick days per year. Some 58% come into the office for connection, not just to focus on work, highlighting humanity’s need for personal communication. And, 43% find offices useful to access quiet spaces that reduce stress, reinforcing the need for balance between collaboration and focus areas.
Finally, 97% of employees see their workplace as a reflection of how much their employer values them, while 90% of organisations now offer hybrid working policies. Anything beyond the usual open-plan layout or more creative use of space will be welcomed by most workers.
The race for cooler office space
Design specialist Area is a workplace and fit-out specialist works on UK’s most striking offices. These include a Monopoly-themed office in central London for Office Space in Town (OSiT) and immersive “happiness rooms” in Farringdon – including a hot air balloon meeting room, underwater-themed space.
This art of office peacocking will tempt startups, growing companies and businesses forced out of their previous office space by rising rents as likely primary customers for these spaces. But any business can look for a better dedicated, co-working or shared office space. And they aren’t unique to London, with all major cities and hubs looking to offer something out of the norm.
Take Paris and the glorious WeWork Network Coworking Space as just one example. If you work in a cool office or co-working space, let us know with a photo or two!