How can we make the physical workplace more enticing to hybrid employees?
It’s a fair question, one that many corporate employers have been asking themselves since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The more the industry collectively mulls it over, the more companies realize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to a better workplace.
Though this may be true, it doesn’t mean there aren’t proven steps companies can take to place them on a path to success. With 86% of employers already having implemented a hybrid work model, many companies are acknowledging technology’s role in making these work models work. In fact, 72% of employers agree that workplace experience and engagement technologies are a critical element of successful offices in the future.
The proof is in the pudding. Having the ability to connect dispersed employees through a purpose-built app or platform — alongside the additional engagement opportunities this type of technology can offer — allows employers to take a more personalized approach to their workplace and scale initiatives as needed. This blending of utility and fun is the most impactful strategy to retain and engage hybrid workers; not only will employees get extra productivity out of coming to the office, but they will also be able to partake in memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences that differentiate their workplace from other companies.
It’s a win-win.
Making Work Fun
Many companies have tried to bring employees back to the office with perks alone, but for the most part, these strategies have proven to be insufficient.
This is because employers can’t just offer perks — at this moment in time, nearly every company is doing that. Instead, they need to expand their programming in a way that helps individuals build more meaningful workplace connections. Not surprisingly, this can be achieved through workplace experience technology. Some examples include:
- Personalized in-app content
- Programming (such as classes or novelty events)
- Connections to local events (such as concerts or shows)
- Custom company and building-specific programming
- Discounts on local events and goods
- Food ordering
These examples of programming achieve multiple things for employers: they strengthen a company’s workplace culture by making it accessible to employees everywhere, and they place the physical office at the center of all cultural activities. In turn, this encourages employees to return to the office to experience social benefits they can’t have anywhere else. It also aligns them closer to their company’s mission, thereby increasing employee productivity and overall satisfaction.
Making Work Painless
The physical workplace can’t be all fun, however. There is immense value in equipping office spaces with tools and resources that foster more seamless and productive experiences throughout the work day. These capabilities also need to reach employees everywhere — whether they’re working from their office desk or their living room.
Fortunately, workplace experience technology can help employers reach this goal. Some examples include:
- Flexible room and desk booking
- Local transit information
- Enhanced communication
- Capacity management
- Parking
- Mobile access
- Service requests
Offering a variety of technology capabilities through a single app or platform addresses the wide range of unique needs a given workforce might have. It also saves employees time on tasks that might have otherwise been time-consuming, since the right platform offers the full range of features in a single, easy-to-use place (like an app).
Smarter Partnerships
The best way to combine fun and utility in the workplace is through partnering with leading technology providers. As workplace experience experts, we at HqO understand our clients’ needs to attract and retain talent and increase building occupancy through technology capabilities that allow employees to work how and where they want.
The secret behind these capabilities is connection: with digital tools, employers can easily bring people closer to each other and to their physical work environments. These kinds of connected experiences help engineer a better workplace, and transform the office into a true destination that people want to be a part of.
Want to learn more about how HqO can help bring fun and utility to your workplace experience? Schedule a demo today.
