NowyStyl_Reunion_A new office reality_EN

What do I need from my office? O ur professional knowledge and know-how stems from our long-stand- ing experience of working with clients and studies and analyses pre- pared by our Workplace Research and Consulting Department. In 2022 we conducted a study titled “What do I need from my office?”. The study was both qualitative and quantitative. In the survey we collected the opinions of more than 125 people holding a variety of posts and performing different tasks at various points in their career. Our respondents represented companies from many sectors, on different stages of the decision-making process as regards the restructuring of work after the pandemic. Below we would like to share the most interesting findings What stays in the office and what’s out? The respondents pointed to the key functions of office space. Their responses clearly proved that social relations at work are a priority. The office of the future should therefore focus on the following areas: building collaboration, fostering social relations, building the company image and creating organisational culture. As you can see, the respondents selected the functions based on relations and human interactions - which is exactly what we missed most during the isolation and what is absent from remote work. When we asked the respondents to order these functions about their importance, one more function appeared among the social aspects - focus. Here’s the hierarchy of selected functions. We are entering the new reality with new knowledge, experience and lessons learned during the pandemic and the initial stage of remote work. We still need offices, but they will have a different function now. For the users - the employees - an office space will be mainly a social asset. On the other hand, this place will help people maintain a work-life balance and facilitate the organisation of their daily schedule. A properly arranged space fosters focus work in silence - with no unnecessary noise and distrac- tions, which often happen at home. The office of the future is a place that caters to your needs, especially those that were suppressed during the pandemic. We had to face isolation, distance and alienation. We know we need quite the opposite. The relevant needs were clearly formulated by the respondents of a variety of studies conducted among employees. The office of the future is a place that fosters integration, a sense of belonging and balance. “The office offers better conditions for focus work, which means I can complete my tasks in a shorter time. Also, face- to-face contact with other people is crucial for our mental well-being, especially when you have small children and not much opportunity for social interaction.” Statement of a respondent “Why do we need an office? To facilitate contact with closest coworkers and to feel like we’re building a team rather than a group of individuals.” Statement of a respondent Which work duties would you prefer to carry out in the office or anywhere else, e.g. at home? Office space Any space  meetings with clients (82%)  meetings and consultations with colleagues (75%)  informal work-related meetings (73%)  replying to e-mails (89%)  creating materials, e.g. presentations, folders (80%)  performing operational tasks (62%)  completing orders (79%)  graphic work (79%)  concept and creative work (58%) The hierarchy of office functions as indicated by the participants of the study “What do I need from my office?” 4. FOCUS 2. SOCIAL FUNCTION 3. CORPORATE IMAGE BUILDING 1. BUILDING COOPERATION 5. CREATING AN ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE 6. ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION 7. REGENERATION AND CHILL-OUT Office functions Major disadvantages of working out of the office:  no face-to-face contact  hindered contact with colleagues  difficulties with maintaining work-life balance  difficulties with participating in creative meetings, e.g. brainstorming sessions  weakened relationships between team members  no ergonomic, appropriately prepared workstation  extended process time  longer working hours (overtime) Compiled from the results of the survey “What I expect from my office” Compiled from the results of the survey “What I expect from my office” 05 04 Contents