December is almost over, and as the New Year is quickly approaching, many office executives are taking the time to reflect on how the modern workplace has changed. More importantly, we’re going to weigh in on if these two major changes are a good or a bad thing – because not all change is progression. Especially when it comes to office design that sacrifices efficiency for aesthetics.
In this article, our in-house team of modern office designers have compiled two big ways business has changed and their professional opinions on how effective these changes are today. #1. Goodbye cubicles, hello open plan layout Up until the early 2000s, many businesses opted for confined cubicle layouts within their corporate offices. The main intent of cubicle layouts was to promote more individualized and focused work and eliminate distractions. Traditionally, each cubicle enclosed a single employee and kept them separated enough from other coworkers to discourage socialization during work hours. While workplace privacy is still necessary in some forms, we’re glad to say goodbye to traditional office cubicles. Now, many modern offices are embracing the open plan layout which usually consists of one large, shared work area for the whole team. This layout is ideal for most businesses because it encourages collaboration between employees within the same department, as well as other departments within your organization. Effective collaboration not only improves productivity, but also promotes successful team-building. With this layout, you can have shared office benching, collaborative, lounge-style furniture or even the reinvented cubicles that house a small team of employees rather than just one. #2. Rise in flexible work schedules Remote work had always been considered progressive – or in a more negative connotation – lazy. Up until COVID-19 hit in 2020, many office executives were not in favor of remote working capabilities. Whether it was a lack of trust between employees, or the fear that productivity would slip, business owners feared that the state of their organization would suffer if they allowed the option for remote work. However, in the height of COVID-19, mandatory shutdowns gave businesses no choice but to allow remote working or flexible work schedules where different teams of employees would come in on alternating weeks. Fortunately, this opened the eyes for a lot of people regarding the benefits of flexible work schedules. Productivity soared for many companies because people were happier to spend a little more time with their families at home, which in turn made them want to be more productive at work. Not to mention, business owners were saving money on building operating costs with less people in the office. However, there is one downside to flex work schedules and that is a lack of connection. Some people went from seeing their coworkers everyday from 9am to 5pm, to not at all. Going from one extreme to another isn’t good either because it creates a sense of loneliness and uncertainty with where you stand at work which can create strain on your employees’ mental health. Throughout our experience designing workspaces for many companies post-COVID, we’ve found that the most successful offices are those that incorporate a hybrid working model, i.e. both remote working capabilities, as well as in person work each work. This allows employees to have that freedom and flexibility to be more present with their families, and keeps the bonds strong between core work teams. To learn more about how BE Furniture can change your workplace for the better in 2023, please give us a call today. Our in-house team of modern office specialists are constantly evaluating the latest workplace trends, technology and furniture to create complete business environments that solve issues within your organization. We not only design offices, we design cultures that promote employee productivity, wellness and connection. Visit our website today: https://www.befurniture.com/ The original blog is posted on - https://www.befurniture.com/two-major-ways-the-office-has-changed-over-the-years/
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Planning a new office fit-out in 2020? With so many decisions to make about office cubicle systems, modern office workstations and desks, and interior office design, it’s easy to forget about one thing that’s essential to every successful office design: soundproofing.
Better Soundproofing Means Better Productivity Have you ever been in an office or restaurant for a meeting where it was impossible to hear what was being said on the other side of the table? Or in a conference room where it’s impossible to hold a private meeting because anything anyone says bounces and echoes around the room? It’s frustrating and it’s bad for business! And, it shows just how important soundproofing really is if you want your office space and employees to be productive. As our offices have gotten busier and more open, noise levels have increased – a problem noted as early as 1972 in the Noise Control Act. According to health professionals and the act itself, noise doesn’t just mean an increase in distraction, as “Problems related to noise include stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity.” Modern offices thrive in downtown environments. But, these prime locations don’t necessarily support productivity and employee wellness as much as they should. This is where clever office design becomes essential, creating the quiet and relaxation so essential to de-stress the workplace so that your organization can get the best from both worlds. Soundproofing and Your Office Fit-Out – Speak to Our NJ team about Office Cubicle Systems, Office Design, and More A professional office fit-out service will look beyond color schemes and corporate office. It will address your office’s potential from the very foundations up. Existing buildings usually haven’t been designed with consideration to the noise and requirements of a modern office. However, an experienced team can deliver great results with the right approach to soundproofing in the form of sound reduction and sound absorption to create an ideal work environment. BE Furniture in New Jersey can help you create a functional and appealing workspace that not only supports your brand, but also helps your employees optimize their productivity. In addition to our wide range of office furniture, including office cubicle systems, office cubicle walls, and modern office workstations and desks, our team can also assist you with workspace design and office furniture fit-outs. We also offer eco-friendly recycling and used furniture removal options for all your old office furniture and fittings. For more information on our services and products, including our range of contemporary office furniture, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content is posted on https://www.befurniture.com/a-great-office-design-always-includes-soundproofing Equality acts and legislation means that employers have a duty to not only make sure that their office is accessible to people with disabilities, but that it is also accessible to visitors and guests in their building as well.
In 2011, the World Health Organization reported that approximately 15% of the global population has a disability. It’s important to remember that a disability doesn’t necessarily refer to a person with a physical handicap – a disability can also refer to a person who is challenged intellectually, psychologically or educationally. In some countries, the unemployment rate for disabled people is as high as 80%, which is why it is important to ensure that your office is disability-friendly. Here are a few design tips to take note of: Invest in the Right Desks Height adjustable desks are key for a disability-friendly office environment. View our range of height adjustable desks to find a high-quality and affordable solution for your office. Make Things Accessible Easily accessible plug sockets and a cable management system can reduce a lot of hazards and ensure that everyone is able to reach what they need with ease. Parking Spaces Include a few parking spaces for those with disabilities near your entrance. This way, those with a disability won’t have to park far from the office and be forced to undertake a long walk to the building. Get Ergonomic Office Cubicle Systems With the right office cubicle systems, disabled employees will be able to set up their work areas in a way that is comfortable and ergonomic for them. BE Furniture’s office cubicle walls are fully modular and can be adjusted for each cubicle. Need more information about creating a disability-friendly office? Then contact us today athttps://www.befurniture.com/. Original content posted on https://www.befurniture.com/how-to-create-a-disability-friendly-office/ These days, collaboration is the name of the game in the modern workspace. The walls are coming down, communication is actively encouraged and design focusses on pushing the sharing of ideas. The open office concept, even with office cubicle systemsis more open than ever before – so where does that leave privacy?
Why is Privacy Important? If open concept design fosters some of the most desirable employee behaviors – collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving – then is privacy important enough to incorporate into office design. The short answer is: yes!
Businesses don’t have to choose one design concept or the other – it’s all about balance. In order for collaborative, open concept spaces to truly work, they need to be balanced with privacy needs and requirements. These will be different according to your company, industry and corporate culture, so a lot of thought has to go into getting the balance right. Some ideas to inspire you include:
Original content posted on https://www.befurniture.com/creating-privacy-open-collaborative-office-spaces/ Modern Office Cubicles, office cubicle systems, office cubicle walls, If you’re not convinced, just think about this statistic from Mindspace research, that 21% of 18-24 years olds have rejected a potential employer because of the poor design and/or lack of amenities of the workplace. Or that 34% would be willing to commute for an impressive 60 minutes if it meant working in a ‘perfect’ environment. And it’s not just affecting your company’s ability to draw in new talent, since 31% of workers were found to be bored with their current work environment, with 28% describing it as outdated or dull. Bored, outdated, dull… these are not words you want associated with your brand!
These Numbers Seem Acceptable, But They’re Growing Millennials are now entering the workforce in large numbers and will constitute over 50% of the working population in just a few years’ time. This means that these numbers are only going to grow – so, if companies want to start attracting today’s top performers as well as tomorrow’s bright new talent, they need to take a long, detailed look at the work environment that they have to offer. So, what are Millennials Looking for in Office Design? While the first step is acknowledging that your current office design isn’t making the right impression, the next step is to find out what will. Designers are seeing a strong push driven by this working population for more agile space with different, character-filled spaces. The feel has moved away from ‘corporate’ to spaces that feel individual, quirky and appropriate for the industry. Millennials want to feel at home in their office space – to have a sense of ownership and input. This means incorporating wellness and relaxation features like gyms, ping pong tables and gardens into your space. Companies should aim to reflect the vibrancy of their city or town as well as their industry, making themselves part of the community and investing in sustainability measures as well as local community initiatives. Flexibility is key too, with an emphasis on open, collaborative spaces, hot-desking and co-sharing facilities as well as flexible work policies. Natural light and nature are also a big feature, not only for making a space attractive but also for supporting wellness and creating a more productive space. Let BE Furniture Take Your Office Design from Dull to Inspirational with Innovative Cubical Systems and More At BE Furniture, we assist our clients in achieving an optimal workspace for their business. Whether you are looking to replace old workstations with new cubicle systems and office cubicle walls or want a comprehensive redesign and fitment of your space, our experienced team can handle it all. For more information about our corporate office design services or cubicle systems, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content posted on https://www.befurniture.com/date-office-design-costing-talent-yes/ For a long time, the phrase “work-life balance” has been a buzzword for businesses, but the reality is that, for many people, there is a distinct disconnect between the quality of like they experience at home and the one they get at work.
After all, most employees work 40-60 hours a day in the office, under fluorescent lighting, in range of unhealthy vending machine options, in front of a computer for hours at a time, and unaware of whether it’s day or night outside. After a day’s work, achieving that essential balance is almost impossible – finding the time or energy to exercise, shop for and prepare healthy foods, and spend quality time with our loved ones and hobbies. It’s this imbalance that makes achieving these goals almost impossible – and the distinction between home life and office life makes it exhausting to even think about! The answer, according to specialists, is that workplaces need to catch up in terms of quality of life – and industry leaders who have committed to these changes and focused on wellbeing are reaping the rewards. Employees benefit from having a happier, healthier and more efficient workplace, while employers benefit from increased productivity, improved talent acquisition, employee loyalty, and reduced sick days. So, what is wellness and how do I apply it in the workplace? This is the biggest challenge facing companies that want to move with the times, boost their competitiveness and attract the best people in the industry. The answer is that it’s a holistic approach that requires an investment of time, money and passion – it’s not just about putting a juicer in the break room. It’s about evaluating pain-points in the office and setting goals for overcoming them. Some great ideas include:
Boost productivity with a wellness office design If you have a wellness vision for your business, our team is here to help. In addition to our wide range of office furniture, cubical systems and office cubicle walls, we can also assist you with workspace design and fitment. For more information on our services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content posted on https://www.befurniture.com/workplace-wellbeing-important-industry-leaders/ |
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