Working in the office has changed significantly over the last 20 years and many would find the modern office almost unrecognizable from a few decades ago. So, what will work look like in another 20 years? There are a lot of innovative ideas and designs out there now so let’s see what we can hope for our future generation of white-collar workers.
There is a lot of focus on the welfare of workers and the knowledge that productivity goes up when we feel relaxed, appreciated and are able to socialize. Adding greenery and natural light are two ideas that are believed to reduce stress and help to aid creative thinking. The idea behind this is that if the worker is surrounded by the natural environment, it will generate a higher level of feeling of wellbeing.
In the future, office workers can count on more virtual reality. Designers can experience their design models and there is the opportunity to visit the area and walk around, adjust the size of the room and aspects of lighting etc. VR also has a place in training, where real-life scenarios can be practiced in the comfort of a realistic mock up.
Paperless workplaces have been on the agenda for some time now and while it has not been completely achieved yet, there is still a lot of interest in aiming for it. Many feel that paperwork anchors you to a desk and prefer the theory of agile working and being untethered. So, some are experimenting with not having a desk at all and employees are only provided with a storage drawer.
The office of the future must be a space that is flexible and adaptive. Some prefer the conventional methods of working with desks, while others enjoy hot-desking, balancing on a giant gym ball or using a standing desk, for example. Perhaps the answer will be to have different designated areas with one reserved for traditional ‘retro’ ways of working! For forward-thinking Office Furniture Bristol, visit a site like 1stDzine, suppliers of quality Office Furniture Bristol.
The office, in the conventional way we understand it, may not exist at all. With the rise of the digital era, we are now able to work anywhere with an internet connection. A typical 9-5 is not suitable for everyone, and more people are working remotely at all times 24-7. Biologists have revealed that 9-5 is not in sync with the natural body clock of biology and human, so if we want to improve health and well-being, perhaps we need to be more flexible with our working patterns in the future.
Collaborative work and space-sharing may also be ideas that are becoming more common for the next generation. Digital operations mean we are now able to work across time zones, borders and cultures, sharing business via email, telephone, video conferencing and social media will become more of a reality and help break down the boundaries of communication. Many companies have also developed the idea of sharing office space with other like-minded businesses. With the same work ethic, businesses can share and collaborate in their rental, unlocking their creativity and the sharing of ideas.