Power Of Amenities in The Workplace
With a continued focus on providing more with less, companies across all industries are continually driving their workers to increase efficiency and productivity—to get products and services to market faster and cheaper, writes LPA’s Karen Thomas.
Nothing says “we care about you” more than an employer providing meaningful amenities within the workplace environment. It is no longer enough to attract and retain the best and brightest, C-suite occupiers realize that in order to excel in today’s global economy they must provide a work environment that motivates and inspires the most highly sought-after employees. The best companies are all competing for the same talent, and realize they must truly differentiate themselves by leveraging and communicating their authentic culture and vision. Well-designed active and passive amenities are key components of a successful work environment.
With a continued focus on providing “more with less”, companies across all industries are continually driving their workers to increase efficiency and productivity—to get products and services to market faster and cheaper. This push to get more done by fewer staff, while utilizing less square footage, puts increased stress on workers. Longer work hours and ever-increasing deadlines add to the challenge of work/life balance. As a result, the workplace environment has become not only a place to work, but a place to innovate, socialize, let off steam, and decompress.
The most successful venues for meaningful employee socialization have important characteristics: activity, change of pace and environment, and engaging the senses. Getting people out of their normal work environment, moving around, engaging in wellness activities, bringing in sound and music, and offering entertainment and even food, all bring people together and create an enriched environment for socializing within active amenity spaces.
Office amenity spaces are not always located within the immediate office interior design; we have seen proximity to outdoor spaces to be one of the most powerful opportunities for employees to interact, laugh, chat and establish meaningful bonds during breaks in the work day. There is nothing better than taking a walk with coworkers, grabbing a coffee, having lunch outside, getting fresh air, and stretching your legs.