It seems that within the past five years, organizations have shifted from completely remote to hybrid, and now we’re beginning to see a surge of employees returning to the office five days a week. Indiana Governor Mike Braun mandated five days a week in the office for state employees and many corporations are following suit. The State of Indiana currently employs around 32,000 workers, with one-third of them having been permitted to work at least part-time from home post the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Come July 1, 2025, Governor Braun wants almost all of them back in the office. If your organization is bringing your team back into the office, this might be the first time you’ve had perfect in-person attendance in years.
Welcoming your team back is an exciting project. As you prepare for their arrival, you’ll need to consider the state of your office. Is it equipped to comfortably fit your whole team? Will everyone be able to thrive productively without distraction?
If your office space hasn’t welcomed the entirety of your team in some time, there will likely be an adjustment period to incorporate your employees’ needs to ensure their productivity and job satisfaction. If your organization is returning to the office five days a week, here’s what to expect, and how you can effectively prepare for this transition.
Noise Disruption—Set Your Staff Up For Success
With the hustle and bustle of every employee in the office comes a drastic increase in workplace distractions. On average, staff are on two team calls a day, and being in person, they will need to adjust to the noise. Workers can be up to 66% less productive when exposed to just one nearby conversation. Noise affects us more than we think—research has shown that even intermittent exposure to loud noises can lead to higher long-term stress hormone levels and hypertension. Noise is inevitable and even necessary to perform certain business functions. As we welcome even our noisiest employees back into the office, we have to anticipate how the space will accommodate them without disrupting others or risk a loss of productivity and team well-being.
Anticipate Physical Changes
It’s no surprise that transitioning from exclusively remote or even hybrid work structures to fully in-person is going to be a big adjustment. When the time comes to welcome your team back to the office in full capacity, ensure its layout is able to accommodate everyone comfortably. Understanding you might have to make adjustments as everyone settles into their new space is essential to successfully assimilating your entire team.
Allow the work space to work in your favor. Implementing isolated areas to allow staff to take phone calls or one-on-one meetings minimizes noise pollution for the rest of the team. Reservable office spaces and collaboration spaces provide designated spaces for noise and communication, so the rest of your team can stay productive throughout the day without disruption. There are also interior design choices you can make to strategically minimise noise. Acoustic panels, sound masking, and carpets all cut down on noise so your entire team isn’t bothered by a conversation between a few of your staff.
Accommodate Your Staff’s Needs
As your staff returns and settles into the office, they may need different things to thrive in-person. While some of your staff might enjoy constant collaboration, others may need complete concentration. In a study, 93% of the workers surveyed reported they were “often interrupted” at work, and 80% said they were more stressed because of it. Returning to the office shouldn’t be a stressor. Your office space should invite productivity and provide a comfortable place to work. Relo’s proprietary Workplace Productivity Analysis® gives staff a protected voice to implement the right workplace changes tailored to your organization’s needs. Whether a team member is taking a call, having a meeting, or going heads-down—your space should accommodate that efficiently.
Reimagine Your Workplace with Relocation Strategies
Is your team heading back into the office full time? Welcome them with an office space where every member of your team will thrive with the help of Relo. We’ll first evaluate your current space, wish list, and budget constraints. Then, our team will come up with a plan for making your workplace engaging and productive. Together, we’ll help you reimagine your space to meet your needs and please the eye. Contact us today to set up a consultation!