WX trends: Return to office trends you should know about

Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.

This week in WX trends, we learn what an office experience architect is – and why they’re needed. Next, we explore the rise in coffee-badging (and what it says about your organization). Finally, why the work-from-home trend is here to stay.

Consultants designing the office of tomorrow

Imagine walking into your office and being greeted by the calming scent of lavender, designed to melt away stress before you even reach your desk. Or maybe you step into a soundproofed room that’s a haven of quietude in a bustling workplace. These aren’t scenes from a futuristic film, but are becoming a reality in many companies today.

A BBC article explores this trend, highlighting how employers are experimenting with everything from essential oils to color schemes in an effort to lure workers back to the office. It’s a response to the changing dynamics of work, with many employees enjoying the comforts of home and resisting a full-time return to traditional offices.

These innovations are guided by a new breed of experts known as “workspace change management specialists” or “office experience architects.”

Georgina Fraser, head of human capital at CBRE, notes a surge in demand for such services, reflecting a shift towards more personalized and hybrid-friendly work environments.

Fraser and her peers consult on various aspects, from personalized food options to advanced connectivity solutions, aiming to make offices as comfortable as home but equipped with office-specific perks, the article states.

Companies are experimenting with creative solutions like facial recognition for coffee orders and vibrant, collaborative spaces to entice employees back to the office. The goal is to eliminate everyday friction points such as noise and technology issues.

Design consultants gather insights through interviews and focus groups, often surprising executives with employees’ actual needs, the article concludes. They rely on data and surveys to keep up with the rapidly changing workplace demands. This new consulting niche is rapidly growing, driven by a demand for more human-centric corporate spaces.

Workplaces are still working out how they can create an optimal in-office experience, says Appspace CEO Tony DiBenedetto. “The most important thing is to engage employees and get their feedback.”

Are you guilty of coffee badging?

Workers trying to dodge return-to-office mandates have a new tactic available to them: “Coffee badging.”

This cheeky strategy involves showing up at work just long enough to grab a coffee and chat, then leaving, giving the impression of attendance without the long hours, according to an article in euronews.next.

A study by Owl Labs found 58% of hybrid workers admit to coffee badging. Men (62%) do it more than women (38%), with millennials leading the trend.

Unlike quiet quitting, coffee badging reflects a desire to keep the flexibility gained during the pandemic. Employees now value their time and resist rigid office schedules, especially with long commutes, the article details.

Employers are trying to entice workers with perks like stocked kitchens and cozy lounges, or even offering occasional Fridays off. The goal is to make office time more engaging and worthwhile.

Good leaders can make office work more meaningful, reducing unnecessary meetings and allowing more flexible deadlines, the article concludes.

RTO full-time? One expert highly doubts it

The work-from-home trend is sticking around for the long haul, says one expert.

Many companies continue to offer remote work options, finding it profitable and highly valued by employees. While some firms mandate office returns, the traditional five-day office week is considered outdated by many, according to a CNBC article.

Nick Bloom, a Stanford University economics professor who studies workplace management practices, predicts remote work will grow even more in the next five years.

Before the pandemic started in 2020, just 10% of workdays were remote, according to WFH Research. It spiked to over 60% during lockdowns. Now, it’s stabilized at about 25%.

Remote work reduces turnover, as employees value the flexibility akin to an 8% raise. Companies save on recruitment and training costs and can hire from a broader geographic pool, sometimes at lower wages. Productivity remains unaffected, making remote work a financial win for firms, the article explains.

The benefits of remote work — reduced commuting pollution, more family time, and overall job satisfaction — make it a lasting legacy of the pandemic, the article concludes. Bloom calls it a “triple win” for employees, firms, and society.