Adapting the Workplace for the Great Return: Design Strategies to Win Over the Reluctant

The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on our daily lives, especially in the way we work. It has ushered in a seismic shift from the traditional five-day office workweek to a more flexible hybrid model, from in-person meetings to virtual calls, and from physical signatures to digital alternatives like DocuSign. These changes have not only accelerated certain workplace trends but have also underscored the critical importance of adaptability, health, and well-being in our professional environments. As we move forward, these shifts are poised to influence the design of our future workplaces.

At the recent Revive Tech Asia conference in Hong Kong, Joanne Manzano Morris , the Head of Design and Delivery at Unispace , Asia, was a featured speaker. Her mission was to shed light on innovative workplace strategies and designs that can accommodate the new normal, entice the #ReluctantReturner, and counteract the phenomenon of the #GreatResignation, all while attracting top talents back to the office.

Drawing insights from Unispace's 2023 global survey, "#ReturningForGood," it is clear that employers and employees often hold differing views on #ReluctantReturners.

Marco Brucato, eCommerce Lead at The Kraft Heinz Company, voiced an essential perspective on the matter. "As a business, we do recognize that people need to be together in the office, and we encourage staff to spend two days working together each month. When and how often our people come into the office is driven by a range of elements, from their own agenda on any given day, their home working conditions, to who else is in the office, and much more. What we've found is that giving staff the flexibility to choose is what is driving returns more naturally."

Joanne Morris identified four key workplace trends that can help address the challenges we face today.

A hybrid workplace is about seamlessly integrating the comforts and conveniences of home into the office space. This approach can help employees feel more at ease, productive, and satisfied with their work environment. Features like indoor plants, abundant natural light, personalization options, cozy textures, and amenities such as coffee machines, snacks, and game spaces can make the office feel more inviting and homely.

Following her presentation, Joanne joined a panel discussion alongside niko walraven , Regional Director APAC of Neat, and Tung Wong , Head of Marketing of Signify, with facilitation by cm jao , Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association. During this discussion, Joanne underscored the importance of sustainability and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) as long-term investments. She emphasized that these aspects not only benefit the company in terms of talent recruitment and retention but also enhance the organization's brand reputation.

One audience member inquired about the implementation of Virtual Reality (VR) in workplace strategy. Joanne shared that VR can be a valuable tool to engage with clients and stakeholders early in the project. With VR, they can experience a 360-degree view of their new workplaces at various construction stages. This enables department heads and employees to become familiar with the new settings before their actual move-in, ultimately boosting work efficiency.

In 2021, Unispace acquired Downstream, a global experimental design firm. Leveraging VR technology, Downstream creatively blends the physical and digital realms in the post-pandemic world.

For more information on the findings from the "Returning For Good" global survey, please scan the QR code below to download the full report

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