Top Commercial Office Space Needs in 2020

What does a perfect office space look like? While most people may think that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this, there actually is one. It’s all about what the employees want the place to be. It’s a place where they spend most of their time & hence, it should be their place of comfort, where they can easily work for hours. The office space also plays an important role in creating a first impression on the new employees. The organization should make sure that the place is welcoming for them too.

So how is that done? Well, there are a few aspects that need to be heeded and incorporated to make it a breeze for all people working.

1. Location & Commute
   Office location plays an important role in the employee’s life; especially for those who shift to a new city for the job. Employees prefer living in the office vicinity to reduce their commute. With continuously increasing traffic, it takes 1-2 hours to reach the office now in most major cities. Ideally, the office should reside in such a location that offers multiple feasible commute options. It should also be in one of the good parts of the city to offer a good environment to people and better connectivity to other parts.
   
   The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more crucial to focus on transportation facilities for organizations. According to a JLL Workplace Experience survey, almost one-third of people will rethink taking public transport for office commute. Although people are adapting to the situation, it may be a good idea to provide transportation services to ensure employees’ safety.
   
    
2. Strong IT & Connectivity
   Today most of the work has shifted online. Hence, a strong internet connection is a must in any office. This has to be accompanied by a sound IT system in place for data handling, storage, and backup. Slow internet or poor IT infrastructure brings down the entire space’s productivity. Not only may it bring the work to a halt, but it also deteriorates the morale to keep up the pace due to interruptions in the workflow.
   
    
3. Interiors & Layout
   A positive and energetic environment can work wonders for teams. Monotonous walls and desks are soon to be out of the window & creative ways of filling up the office space needs to be explored; something that reflects the organization’s core values while providing a breath of fresh air. The office layout should be designed to bring out maximum connectivity between people so they keep interacting with each other and share ideas. A Deloitte report states that a traditional office dedicates 85% of its space to individuals and only 5% to the teams. That is not the mantra of the current workplace. ‘More open spaces and lesser cabins’ is the current office design motto. It adds breathing space and also brings the teams closer.
   
   Post COVID-19, the need for the office layout has recently changed. Now there has to be a minimum of 6 feet distance between people to avoid the spread of the virus. This has raised an essential need to restructure office layouts, which the organizations are advised to follow meticulously. Offices are working at a 30% or 50% capacity. Hot desks can become a thing, owing to social distancing. The enclosed spaces are reducing, with more open breakout points. The touchpoints like switches, doors, etc., have been reduced to a minimum, which can pave the way for automated systems.
   
    
4. Good parking
   Most of the employees may prefer to come by their own vehicles.. This creates a need for a sufficient parking space, and ensuring vehicle safety becomes the organization’s responsibility. Let’s face it, parking has become a menace in bigger cities. So the employees cannot just park outside the office premise, risking their vehicles for theft, damage, or illegal parking. Underground parking space or space beside the office premise should be provided for safe parking.
   
    
5. Open spaces & natural light
   Gone are the days of working in cubicles, with heads stuck to the monitor. New regulations have been established for office spaces, keeping in mind the health of the employees. As per the Workplace Ordinance, an airspace of 12 m³ is recommended for sedentary activities. Working all day long in conditioned air can have adverse health effects. Hence, it’s important that the space has sufficient windows to allow natural sunlight and air to come in. This also helps in circulating the fresh air within, keeping the minds fresh and active. A Deloitte study reports that access to natural light leads to an 18% increase in employee productivity and a 50% decrease in sickness.
   
    
6. Flexible system
   With time, the demands of workplaces have changed. The employees now need a more flexible working system which offers them the freedom to work at flexible hours and from different locations. Recently people have adapted to working from home, and that too efficiently. Working away from the office, they can attend to their personal chores, while focussing on their official tasks. It has helped them maintain their work-life balance, increasing both their morale and productivity. A win-win situation for both employees and the organization! In fact, according to a Deloitte report, 67% of the employees tend to be more loyal if they get a flexible work option. This data supports the need of bringing in more flexibility to develop employee loyalty.
   
    
7. Safety & hygiene
   The pandemic has added one more item to this list - safety and hygiene, which is probably the top priority right now. To ensure people’s safe health, the place must be regularly sanitized to avoid the budding up of contamination & the entry of outsiders to be kept in check. It’s recommended to have minimum physical interactions and follow the WHO guidelines for everyone’s safety.
   
   Today, the office space is designed keeping multiple factors in mind. Unlike traditional spaces that have a standard structure irrespective of the people’s needs and the company’s cultural needs, a commercial office space should resonate with these factors while inculcating a sustainable space to work for all.