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Impact of the right work environment

After a period of being forced to work from home, the doors are reopening at many organizations. Does this mean a return to the way things used to be or is a "new normal" emerging?

Over the past two years, working with various for-profit and non-profit organizations, we have had the opportunity to explore the future of hybrid working. And stronger than ever, we have experienced the impact of the right work environment. After all, the work environment is the most visible way to show who you are and what your organization stands for.

'Practice what you preach'
An organization consists of an inner world (internal organization) and is connected to the outer world. These worlds are inseparable and together make up one whole. Fresh Forward therefore works with the following lemniscate as a starting point: if you want to bring a vision of the future to life and start a movement, then on the one hand you have 'strategic design' needed, and on the other hand 'human design'.

Through concrete initiatives, you bring the vision to life and the unique power of an organization or a brand becomes a reality. Think of Coca-Cola's big truck at Christmas, Rituals' new flagship store in Amsterdam and Nike's running stores. This also applies to where people work; "practice what you preach. A work environment should reflect the vision and DNA of the organization, energize people and encourage the desired culture (mindset and behavior).

This is us, this is how we work, this is how we want to be
Culture is created by the people and by leadership. The work environment is an essential part of this and reinforces the vision and culture/values. The work environment is the most visible way to show who you are and what you stand for as an organization: an ultimate opportunity to express and translate your purpose (desire) and values, and live them out with everyone. Every working day. Every moment. Culture and values can be positively reinforced and brought to life in the work environment. This reinforces attitudes and behaviors that belong and fit with them. Colors, for example, can support a brand position. Or furnishings can show the organization's point of view when it comes to happiness, circularity or local entrepreneurship.

Housing is also a determining factor in how an organization is connected to the outside world, how employees show up and connect internally and externally. For example, is it a business or homey/informal environment? Is there room for creativity and entrepreneurship or does efficiency take center stage? Are workplaces open, transparent and visible, or inward and private? In this, then, the work environment is an important carrier of the culture and makes it visible and tangible. It shows: this is us, this is how we work, this is how we want to be.

Added value of a good work environment

A good, appropriate work environment is important for both employees and employers. Much research has been done on this. A good work environment increases productivity and health, reduces absenteeism, and increases employee happiness at work.

Happier, more energetic and healthier
Employee productivity goes up by 20% when they work in a pleasant and excellent work environment. This has to do with open and social spaces, areas to concentrate, healthy and nutritious food, and sense of individuality. Employees feel fitter as a result. 18% want to work there longer and 30% feel more attracted to their organization than the competition.¹Experiments with "healthy offices" show that people function and perform significantly better in a healthy, inspiring work environment.

In addition, they report feeling happier, more energetic and healthier.² An appropriate work environment improves the well-being of as many as 55 percent of employees. Employee well-being has a major impact on productivity.³ Harvard Business Review shows that every dollar invested in health and vitality generally pays for itself two to three times over.⁴ What is important in a good work environment? Face-to-face meetings are the most important activity in an office. Spontaneous, unscheduled meetings increase an organization's performance. Meetings create improvements. But how you design a work environment is customized, and depends on the goals you want to achieve. ⁵

Win the 'battle for talent'
How do you retain good employees and how do you find good, new employees? We see that a beautiful, modern and appropriate environment attracts the new generation. In this regard, the physical work environment is a cultural asset/property. In addition, top talents are eager to apply their passion and skills to an organization with a mission that suits them. The work environment as a physical manifestation of the purpose is a great opportunity in this regard.⁶ When a person feels welcome in that environment, he comes to better performance. Moreover, he is less likely to leave his employer. Research by "The World's Best Workplaces" shows that 86 percent of those organizations want to stay with their employer for a long time, 88 percent say they are more committed, and 86 percent say they can count on their colleagues.⁷

Benefits of hybrid collaboration
We are also seeing workplaces moving more toward remote/hybrid as a result of the corona pandemic and associated home working. Many organizations are now exploring the benefits and forming a vision for working and work environments of the future. For example, our collaborative work environments are becoming places of connection and human contact in the new age, supported by technology and hybrid forms that enable remote collaboration.⁸ It also creates an ecosystem of workplaces.

Research shows that the number of work-at-home days is increasing from an average of 0.6 to 1.8 per week.⁹ This underscores the importance of an employer-facilitated home office. In this new reality, 'the office' will be primarily focused on meeting with the associated services and hospitality. We also see a role for 'on the go' work and consultation spaces within this ecosystem. We included this aspect in our vision and concept development process for Shell Café.¹⁰

The six success factors of work environments
We have combined our experience in developing visions for (work) environments and what we experience every day in our own work environment with the results of scientific research in this field. The six success factors of working environments with positive impact on people come together in the Forward SPACES Model^®:

SOCIAL: a human, personal environment that creates and encourages connection, contact and engagement, such as meeting places, intimate corners, and lounge sofas. And don't forget communal dining moments when people can take a moment to pay attention to each other and each other's social lives.
PURPOSE: The work environment is pre-eminently a way to bring to life the shared desire of the organization. The entire interior and exterior must convey the purpose. In doing so, the work environment helps attract and retain people who also believe in what the organization believes in.
AUTHENTICITY: excellent work environments take into account the DNA of the organization. Individuality emerges and the organization's values are clearly felt. The work environment is a second home where people can be themselves and use their unique talents.
CIRCULARITY: Circularity is essential if we as humanity are to continue to live on this earth. Quite rightly, when designing environments, there is a lot of focus on reusing materials and using fair and natural materials. At biophilic design nature is brought into the work environment: a natural environment has a proven positive effect on people's well-being.
EXPERIENCE: What people experience in their work environment is essential. There are 4 E's that signify this: Aesthetics and multisensory: not just 'what do you see' but also 'what do you hear, smell, taste and feel'? Entertainment: how are you 'entertained'? Education: what does a work environment teach you and how does it encourage you to keep learning? Escapism: how can you 'escape' and get your rest with mindfulness Or instead indulge in, say, a karaoke booth?
SPACE: This is about space. Physical space when it comes to the degree of openness, flexibility and tranquility. But also the space and freedom people experience there. And how is physical space - especially in today's time - connected to the virtual world?

The impact of the right work environment
Invest in a great, stimulating work environment that fits your organization, purpose and people. An appropriate, inspiring workplace makes the organization and culture stronger and increases employee well-being, job happiness and productivity. Moreover, a work environment that exudes the organization's values attracts the new people you want, and retains those who are a good fit for your organization.

Hilversum, March 1, 2022
Eva Janssen and Matt van der Poel

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