Do we still need offices?

There was a time when many people could not imagine any other place for knowledge work than the employer’s office. At the same time, the company’s address determined where we lived, how long we had to commute, and how much time we could spend with friends and family. When someone told us they were “going to work,” it was always unmistakably tied to the company’s headquarters, a physical place. All of that changed overnight with the Corona pandemic. No prior change has led to such upheaval in the world of work. It’s no wonder people speak of the greatest transformation since we as a society began talking about office or knowledge work.

To the bafflement of many companies, offices remained largely empty even after the lockdowns were lifted. Through hybrid working models, which have now become commonplace, we have learned that for many tasks it is no longer necessary to commute daily to the employer's office. We all know the advantages only too well: less commuting time, more free time and more time with friends and family. The fact is: working from home or hybrid models are here to stay. In the future, the office will no longer be the only place where one's work is done, but just one of many. So it's not far-fetched to say: the office must reintroduce itself to us.

Absolutely — but differently. That means: If we want to bring offices to life, companies must ask themselves: What is the purpose of the office? Or, put another way: What is the essence of the work that should still take place physically in the future?

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So even in the future there needs to be a place where people can meet by chance and where new things can emerge. We all know it: "Nice to see you — we absolutely need to discuss something"; "Now that I see you, it just occurred to me that...". At the same time, social interaction and a sense of belonging are not only human needs but also the glue for a corporate culture in which people feel comfortable and want to contribute. Numerous studies show that employee satisfaction is directly linked to motivation and to reductions in sickness-related absenteeism.

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Few companies have addressed these topics. Instead, weekly or monthly attendance rules are set that determine how often employees must come into the office. But if employees do not understand the purpose of the office and do not see any added value for their own work, they will not return. That makes it all the more important to create attractive workplaces that foster collaboration and physical interaction. An attractive office concept is also a decisive factor in recruitment when deciding for or against a company. Younger generations in particular want to work in an environment where they feel comfortable and can fully develop their potential. There is still a lot to be done here.