The office of the future might not have robotic assistants fetching you coffee, at least for now, but it is going to be very different from the offices of the past. In the postwar era offices mainly consisted of a bullpen with separate offices for the senior staff, and over time that concept has evolved to include cubicles and now common areas. How will the future of work change to meet the demands of the modern workforce?
‘Cube farms’ is what offices consisting mainly of cubicles came to be called after cubicles became associated with cost cutting and layoffs. Then came the open concept office, which turned out to be just a terrible idea – who knew people actually needed quiet and privacy to get the majority of their work done effectively?
Q2 hedge fund letters, conference, scoops etc
Modern offices have a mix of public and private space so that people can work independently when needed in a quiet and comfortable environment while also having the option to work together on more collaborative tasks when needed.
One of the fixtures of any office in any decade is the watercooler and coffee maker. It’s a great equalizer where both execs and the standard workers have to go for refreshments. But even that is changing.
As the economy has gotten stronger, the labor market has followed suit, and this means many workers are looking for a new, better gig. But having access to better perks is the one thing people say they will stay for - almost 90% say they would stay at their current job for better perks.
Free snacks and premium coffee are some of the perks people are on the lookout for, and things like free breakfasts or lunches can really sweeten the deal. It’s hard to maintain focus when you are hungry, and that afternoon slump can have an effect on productivity.
Thankfully offering free snacks isn’t expensive or difficult, and premium coffee options can be a simple way to show your staff you really care. You don’t have to be a barista to operate many of the fancy push button machines that offer cappuccino and hot chocolate and all that, and it gives employees something to look forward to in the break room other than the stale coffee that has been sitting on the burner all day.
Office perks are a great way to attract and retain talent in this strong job market. Learn more about the office of the future from the infographic below!
