Workplace management is changing and it is focused on new generations. Leaders hold less influence.

What will be the leading changes to emerge?

Although quite a number have hoped to see a full return to workplaces in 2022, most understand that it will be fundamental changes which will lead to a real volume to return to offices. It is no coincidence that so many FM and workplace companies have developed new remits for their team to work on the “office experience”.

So what are the areas of focus emerging and changing?

· Design. There is much being invested in stronger designs within offices which support productivity and well-being. Office design has come a long way over the last few decades and much work has taken place to understand the link between design and psychology. As workplace culture moves towards one that prioritises work-life balance, and technology enables the infrastructure for remote work and social distancing, employees are beginning to expect different things from their employers. Namely, a workplace that caters to employee needs. A well-designed office isn’t just crucial for existing employees; it may have an impact on your revenue and hiring process, too. A study found that 85% of the 2,000+ employees surveyed agreed that visitors and clients typically make a judgment based on a company’s workplace. 79% say that if they’re looking for a new job, a well-designed workplace will make them more likely to want the position. Workplace design has evolved based on future generations’ needs and work styles, and companies need to adapt to stay competitive.

· Well-being. The 2020 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends study showed that 80% of 9,000 survey respondents identified well-being as important or very important to their organization’s success with new programs established for employees which cover not just work but also childcare and eldercare support, and physical, mental, and financial health.

· Investment into digital solutions and empowerment. There is little point in debating the importance of digital solutions. It has been the game-changer which has empowered the employee and changed workplace dynamics.

· Service, service, service. How employees feel supported and welcomed is one of the major factors for many returning to the workplace.

· Food service. Food service has a central role to play but it does need to focus on the breadth of services which it offers. As one industry elder described it " Many Food Service companies forgot the meaning of service and have given little thought to how they could develop new services. Now the service piece is back and right in the middle of new plans.”

· New support services which allow the employee to be effective and live better at home and at work.

· New rules, new imagination. Everyone is searching for new solutions. It is no longer of any interest what worked before. All know things have changed and we are all learning together. It asks for new rules to be found, for new solutions to be imagined.