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Workplace Experience

Meeting the Dynamic Expectations in the New World of Work

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Work as we once knew it is no longer. Today, employees have new expectations for the employee/employer relationship and overall workplace experience. Things that were uncommon in the past —like remote and third-place work options—are now things employees expect as standard practice. The digital workplace experience is now as important to employees as the real-world workplace experience. This wasn’t always the case, but changes brought on by the pandemic and shutdowns led to unprecedented shifts in how we work. 

Those changes left lasting impressions on employees and employers about the fundamental idea of what could be accomplished outside of the traditional office—outside of the traditional work arrangement altogether. Today, new working norms have been established.  

Focusing on workplace experience will be central to adapting to new expectations and ensuring organizations can attract, engage and retain top talent. 

 

THE CHANGED WORLD OF WORK

Today’s workplace is still affecting organizations in different ways. For many, remote work has become the new norm, and flexible hours continue to redefine “the workday. “On the opposite end of the spectrum, where and when to work is being dictated to employees through return to office (RTO) mandates and hybrid work arrangements.  

There is a growing tension between employers and employees that didn’t exist before—and the power struggle over who decides where and when work is performed is coming to a head. Many remote workers simply won’t return, according to Work Design Magazine, 40% of remote workers would quit before complying with an RTO mandate. 

WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE

AS AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO MANDATES

Instead of demanding employees follow suit, employers may see better outcomes by providing an environment where employees want to be. The first step in understanding how to create a workplace experience that suits employees is by listening to them. Employees want to be asked what they want, and employers should avoid making assumptions. 

Whether it’s workplace experience in the physical office, improving the digital workplace experience for remote employees or bridging that physical and digital experience for hybrid employees, employers will need to meet varying expectations to engage productive talent in the years to come. 

woman offering her hand to shake it

THE FOCUS: PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE

Workplace experience focuses on flexibility and visibility for all employees. It will be critical to design a workplace solution for office, hybrid, or remote teams, respectively, which is led by the workplace experience team.   

The workplace experience coordinators and manager must learn about the employees by speaking and interacting with them as well as working closely with human resources (HR) to understand the company culture in a meaningful way. 

 

SIMPLIFYING EXPERIENCES: WORKPLACE EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT EMPLOYEE'S WELL-BEING

The importance of simplifying experiences cannot be overstated, particularly concerning employee well-being. By curating experiences that break up the monotony of the workday and foster a sense of community, organizations can significantly enhance their employees' sense of belonging and loyalty.  

Surprise and delight initiatives, where unexpected gestures such as birthday celebrations or impromptu coffee breaks are orchestrated, play a crucial role in building trust and appreciation among team members. These curated experiences not only demonstrate a company's commitment to its employees' happiness but also build a culture of caring, which is business critical.  

Pop-up events serve as high-impact tools to boost workplace satisfaction, offering unique and temporary experiences that inject excitement into employees' routines. These experiences can also have a well-being focus like mindfulness or nutrition which can help bring the values of well-being to life among teams. 

Leveraging user-friendly technology to connect employees with on-demand services further streamlines their experience, enhancing efficiency and overall well-being. By simplifying workplace experiences through curated events and accessible technology, organizations can cultivate a positive and supportive environment that elevates the employee experience. 

Improve Employee Engagement

Enhancing employee engagement hinges on the creation of physical and digital workplaces that inspire and delight. It begins with designing spaces where individuals feel welcomed and motivated to be productive.  

Embracing inclusive workplace experience design ensures that all employees, regardless of their work style or preferences, can thrive within the office environment.

By incorporating versatile areas such as quiet spaces for focused work, event hosting spaces for gatherings and team collaboration zones for brainstorming sessions, organizations cater to the diverse needs of their workforce.  Recognizing employees as invaluable assets, through meticulous attention to service design—both in physical and digital realms—ensures a seamless experience for employees and visitors alike. This service design spans from initial encounters at the office entrance to participation in events and the initiation of service requests.  

people talking sitting in chairs

 

By addressing every aspect of individuals' interactions with the workplace, organizations cultivate environments that not only foster engagement but also elevate the overall employee experience, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction. 

 

INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY: HARNESSING PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

Employers can cultivate a culture of productivity by leveraging workplace experiences that prioritize well-being and foster service excellence to elevate the employee experience.  

By offering services that support well-being such as access to mental health resources, wellness programs and ergonomic workstations, organizations can create environments that prioritize the physical and mental health of employees.  

 

Additionally, seamless workday experiences across various locations, including headquarters, branch offices and remote work settings, play a crucial role in maximizing productivity. Promoting hybrid work models and third-place work options enables employees to choose the environment that best suits their needs—whether it's in-office collaboration, remote work for focused tasks or alternative workspaces like co-working spaces or cafes.  

Technology tools that seamlessly bridge the gap between physical and digital offices facilitate communication, collaboration and task management, to ensure that employees can work efficiently regardless of their location. For example, the SPS Nexus Workplace Services Platform helps make the journey from reception to conference room seamless and connects in-office employees to those working remotely with meeting technology support. 

By prioritizing employee well-being and optimizing workday experiences across different settings, employers can harness productivity and drive improved performance across the organization. 

three people looking at a laptop

THE OUTCOME

Crafting a fulfilling workplace experience involves optimizing all interaction employees have with their work environment—elevating the employee experience through service design. Regardless of where or when employees choose to work, employers can cultivate an environment that is both exceptional and memorable.  

A workplace experience that is positive and enriching helps retain top talent and fosters a community of brand advocates who attract others to join. By nurturing a workplace where individuals feel valued and connected, barriers between physical and digital spaces dissolve, fostering collaboration and synergy among teams. The result is a frictionless workplace that increases engagement, decreases absenteeism and pushes productivity to new heights. 

Reach out to our Enterprise Workplace Solutions team to learn more about how SPS can collaborate with you on a tailored solution that helps your organization unlock The Power of Possibility. 

Scale your business

SPS is a leading technology driven business transformation company. With its suite of Enterprise Workplace Solutions, SPS transforms business process operations and client communication across industries. Download our free whitepaper and discover the current global business challenges and ways to create business efficiency and sustainable business growth. 

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