The world of work has been in a state of flux over the past few years. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became the norm, and as the dust settles, hybrid work models are most common. This shift in norms has been so profound it’s left commercial giants like Canary Wharf Group with 21% vacancy rates as of this year. Despite varying predictions and trends about the future of work, one thing remains clear: the power dynamics between employers and employees have changed dramatically. No longer can businesses compel their workforce to work from the office through sheer authority. Not when they can turn to a competitor company that offers more flexible terms. Instead, they need to offer genuine reasons for employees to willingly come back. This is where smart buildings come into play. Transforming offices into dynamic, receptive and ergonomic spaces is not just about embracing new technology. It’s about creating environments that attract and retain top talent.
Understanding Employee Needs
Employees have become accustomed to the convenience and comfort of working from home. With families and personal lives to juggle, they value the ability to maintain a flexible schedule and avoid the daily commute. Over half of employees say that working from home even makes them more productive. Whether leaders share their views or not, they will need to build a case to bring a happy and productive workforce back to the office. And winning employees back takes more than empty promises or clever sales pitches. Offices need to transform into places employees actually want to be. They need to offer an environment that rivals the home experience in terms of comfort and convenience. Since the majority of employees are looking for ways to drive their productivity, smart buildings can also make that extra bit of difference to keep them happy and engaged.
Comfort, Convenience, Productivity
A recent survey by insightful (cited by Fortune’s Sasha Rogelberg) found that over a third of employers estimate workplace distractions cause up to 25% of work time loss every week. If their estimations are even half accurate, this is a massive problem. Smart buildings reduce workplace distractions by leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence (AI), and other advanced technologies to create a responsive and adaptive environment, conducive to better output. Offices where lighting, temperature, and air quality are automatically adjusted based on occupancy and individual preferences not only optimise comfort but also enhance productivity by minimising distractions.
For instance, smart sensors can monitor and adjust lighting to reduce eye strain, while climate control systems maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the day. Smart buildings can also provide seamless connectivity and ensure that essential amenities, such as clean bathrooms and functional showers, are always in top condition. They can even tell you exactly where your bike is parked, saving time at the end of a long day. By eliminating these small yet significant inconveniences, businesses can create an office environment that employees look forward to working in and even do a better job.
Spontaneous Interactions
One of the primary arguments for returning to the office is the value of spontaneous interactions and cultural cohesion. In-person interactions foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community that is hard to replicate in a virtual setting. None express this view more ardently than in-person hardliner and CEO of Boots, Seb James, who declared the office to be a much more ‘inspiring and fun’ place when everyone is present, during his announcement of the five-day office return. Smart buildings facilitate these spontaneous and collaborative interactions by bringing common areas, meeting rooms and other shared spaces to life, as well as advertising workplace social events on a centralised app for everyone to see and move into their calendars.
Through the use of AI and IoT, these buildings can monitor foot traffic and occupancy levels, ensuring that spaces are used efficiently and that employees can easily find available meeting rooms or collaboration zones. By providing real-time data on space usage, smart buildings can also help managers make informed decisions about office layouts, resource allocation and social preferences, further enhancing the overall work experience.
Health and wellbeing
The health and wellbeing of employees have become paramount concerns, especially in the post-pandemic era, with over 46% of UK employers citing work-life balance, mental health and wellbeing support as a key challenge in retaining skilled workers. Smart buildings can play a crucial role in promoting a healthy work environment. Advanced ventilation systems can monitor and improve air quality, reducing the risk of airborne illnesses. Touchless entry systems and automated cleaning schedules can minimise the spread of germs and ensure a hygienic workspace.
Smart buildings can offer wellness features such as standing desks, fitness centres, and relaxation zones, which can be easily accessed at the tap of a button, encouraging employees to take care of their physical and mental health. By prioritising employee wellbeing, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to a healthy and supportive work environment, making the office a more attractive place to be.
A sustainable workplace matters
Beyond enhancing the work experience, smart buildings also offer significant benefits in terms of sustainability and cost savings. By optimising energy usage through smart lighting and HVAC systems, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs. Water usage can be monitored and managed more effectively, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
These sustainability initiatives not only appeal to environmentally conscious employees but also reflect positively on the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) profile. In an era where top talent often seeks employers with strong ethical values, with environmental activism being a priority value for Gen Z employees, showing a genuine commitment to sustainability can be a powerful differentiator that attracts talent and fosters a sense of pride in the company they work for.
Give your employees a reason to come into work
As businesses navigate the complexities of hybrid work models and changing employee expectations, creating an office environment that attracts and retains top talent becomes imperative. As Claire Williams, Chief People and Operations Officer at Ciphr, recently said, “Creating clear purpose, transparency and good communications, a strong and forward-thinking culture, diversity and social impact – all come down to the time that leaders are willing to put in and spend with their employees.” To spend quality time with your employees, you need them in the office. You might not be able to get them to come in everyday, but you can create an environment where a hybrid week, tilted in favour of the office, becomes preferable to employees. Smart buildings, by enhancing comfort, productivity, convenience, health, and sustainability, will help you achieve this.
So, as companies contemplate the future of work, they should consider this: attracting and retaining top talent requires a collaborative, productive and comfortable office environment that facilitates a healthy and socially responsive culture. This is made possible by smart buildings.
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