In this digital age it is important to know how to motivate individual employees to return to work and how best to work together with their colleagues. Due to the Corona pandemic and the associated online meetings, home office, and much more, it is usually very difficult to return to the “old” habits. (Akhter & Akhter 2022.)
The workplace experience connects these two points, working together at home and in the office. The topic can be divided into three different areas. One is the facilities and spaces, which is the physical environment where employees work. Another area deals with the technological system and tools that employees need for doing their work. Last and perhaps most important are the people, communication, and different cultures that are within a company. (Kirkham 2022.)
In addition to this, there is also another important system that helps to support employees in the importance of cooperation and the well-being of each individual. This system is called the 5S system and is divided into the following five subgroups:
- SORT: Distinguish the items that are needed from those that are not.
- SET IN ORDER: Keep needed items in the right place so people can easily find them.
- SHINE: Be sure the workplace is clean and tidy.
- STANDARDIZE: Make the „Sort“, „Set in order“, and „Shine“ process a habit.
- SUSTAIN: Maintain these procedures.
(Park 2022.)
Why is it important?
The approaches mentioned above contribute to an important foundation of a functioning workplace and a profitable business. However, it makes no difference whether it is a 100% physical presence on-site or a hybrid working model. If a company is working with a hybrid working model, the workplace should still provide a purpose, an opportunity, and a space for on-site work. (Kirkham 2022.)
Other important issues that should not be forgotten are the design of the office, the wellbeing of individual employees, and how best to design the home office for everyone. However, it must be clear in advance that there are no step-by-step instructions for this topic that you can simply work through. Every company, every boss, and every employee are individual in their way of working and dealing with others. It is important to clarify these areas with the employees first and to eliminate possible uncertainties and problems among each other. (Matetschläger 2023.)
Example of a purposeful workplace
According to Tony Vargas, Head of Global Workplace at Sprinklr, a purposeful workplace is one of the most important elements to plan for in order to get employees excited about working on-site again. Individual workers have become more flexible in terms of work or their work location in recent years. Consequently, companies now have to adapt to and consider new working patterns and the impact on employees. (Newell 2022.)
Authors
Maria Matetschläger is a double degree student in the Wood Technology programme at LAB University of Applied Sciences.
Ilkka Tarvainen is a Senior Lecturer in Wood Technology, and he is responsible for the international issues of Wood Technology education at LAB University of Applied Sciences.
References
Akhter, M. & Ahkter, M. 2022. The ultimate guide to space management. Envoy [Preprint]. Cited on 6 March 2023. Available at https://envoy.com/blog/what-is-space-management/
Kirkham, A. 2022. What is workplace experience and why is it important? Envoy [Preprint]. Cited on 26 February 2023. Available at https://envoy.com/blog/what-is-work-place-experience/
Matetschläger, M. 2023. Workplace experience. How it is changing the world of work. Bachelor’s Thesis. LAB University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Technology. Lahti. Cited 17 October 2023. Available at https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023100927078
Newell, K. 2022. Sprinklr’s Tony Vargas shares how to create a purposeful workplace. Envoy [Preprint]. Cited on 6 March 2023. Available at https://envoy.com/blog/sprinklrs-tony-vargas-shares-how-to-create-a-purposeful-workplace/
Park, D. 2022. 5 actions you can take to create a better workplace experience. Envoy [Preprint]. Cited on 7 March 2023. Available at https://envoy.com/blog/5-actions-you-can-take-to-create-a-better-workplace-experience/
