I remember being a kid in the early 2000s watching movies of people neatly slipped in tiny cubicles, crouched in front of a computer, inserting data and numbers or stressed out talking on the phone. As boring and absolutely dreadful as the scene looked, weirdly enough I remember thinking, I want to try working in that sort of environment. I’m still not quite sure why, but i think it was because I wanted to experience the mundanity of working within cubicles. That or it was because I thought that was what all high paying jobs were like. Much to the dismay of my childhood musings, it seems that office workspaces are evolving— aiming to be more employee-oriented.
The success and productivity of the company rests on the employee’s efficiency, obviously. The work environment I mentioned earlier is drab and can be non-motivating. Employers respond with workspace features like larger collaborative spaces and accessible technology. The new generation that will be taking over the work industry is said to be more collaborative and social— an environment that does not encourage a social relationship will negatively affect the group’s morale and productivity.
Companies are adjusting to cater the individual’s social inclination by providing their employees with a collaborative space. Not only does the collaborative workspace allow workers to be sociable, it encourages creativity, and thus, innovation. By allowing multiple personalities that belong to different disciplines and backgrounds to dialogue, they are able to progress ideas quicker. An ideal collaborative workspace comes with other amenities like kitchens, bathrooms, and high-speed internet.
It is one thing for an office to allow social interaction; it is another for offices to be technological and efficient. Aspects of office life such as booking meetings and conferences, communicating with agents in distant places, and relaying messages can be time-consuming. So, on behalf of efficiency and productivity, invest in accessible technology. The newer members of the workforce may be tech-savvy when it comes to social networking but not so much in office tech. Some non-household technology like industrial copiers, or conference room schedule displays can make the office dynamic easier to transition into if they are simple to use. These are the perks of the evolving work environment.
Office jobs are not for everyone; especially when employees were situated in cubicles for most of the workday and the errands have to be done by hand. This is effectively changing to allow workers to be more social and efficient with their time. Instead of having to be obliged lab rats, workers are becoming active members of a business community! And I think this is something for the future generation to look forward to. A change towards the well-being of the personnel is a change towards a more innovative future that does not jeopardize the holistic health of the people.