As the Covid-19 crisis enters its third year and the Omicron variant surges, organisations around the world are contemplating how, when and even if to have their knowledge workers resume regular in-office hours. And they do so at a time when the views and priorities of their employees have shifted. A recent McKinsey study showed that well-being, flexibility and work-life balance are priorities. A survey Microsoft conducted last year indicated that 41 per cent of the global workforce would consider switching jobs in the next year, with 55 per cent noting that work environment would play a role in their decisions.
Our firm was put in an unusual position in 2020: We were hired to design the headquarters of the Korean fintech company Hana Bank during the very period when the pandemic was forcing business leaders to rethink the purpose of the office. But the process — and the resulting building — wasn't a reaction to Covid. Rather, the crisis highlighted and accelerated trends that had been bubbling under the surface for years, including an increased focus on employee mental and physical health, the needs of a multigenerational workforce, greater emphasis on corporate purpose and the shift to remote work.
The pandemic raised the stakes for companies looking to retain top-tier employees and build thriving cultures. Here are some of the principles we employed and lessons we learned from the Hana Bank project, as well as our recommendations for how organisations can implement both small and large-scale changes in enticing people to return to in-person work.
Ask what the space is for, and name it accordingly
It might sound simple, but nomenclature matters. For knowledge workers, the office shouldn't be a place to tackle a to-do list. It's a place for collaboration, creativity and learning, where an employee feels nurtured and a sense of belonging. Names of buildings, floors, areas or rooms should reflect this intent. Terms like "learning center" or "innovation space" communicate the new perspective, shape design changes, attract talent and influence behavior.