In a panel discussion with Stefan Liebert and Sabine Schillinger-Koehne from PATRIZIA Germany and Max Samer from Augsburger Allgemeine, the #FutureofWork was discussed with all participants of the HR Network Meeting of Augsburger Allgemeine.
Dr. Roman Wagner also summarized some important points on the topic:
The surprise of successful remote working: we were amazed at how quickly and seamlessly our customers adapted to remote working and overcame previous obstacles. However, since returning to the office, a new challenge has arisen – balancing office work with the benefits of remote working. It has become clear that while remote working is technically feasible, the last three years have highlighted the negative impact on collaboration, company culture, employee engagement and innovation. That’s why offices are more important than ever.
Tangible corporate culture: For service-oriented companies, the office is an ideal medium to present the company’s vision and brand to both customers and employees. Personalization and individualization are crucial in office design, as they give employees the opportunity to contribute to the design of the workplace and increase their identification with the company.
Flexibility for future changes: To adapt to future changes, offices should be thoughtfully designed with flexible building systems, low-tech solutions and fewer walls. Room-in-room solutions are independent of the building structure and allow for easy adaptations. The main focus should be on creating the best possible workplace for different activities and thus promoting an activity-oriented working environment.
Tangible sustainability: Companies are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and trying to align their office projects with their sustainability strategies. The focus is on authentic and measurable sustainability solutions, visible elements such as wood, plants and water, and involving employees in the decision-making process to demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability.
The success of hybrid meetings: Hybrid meetings, where participants are in the office, at another location or on the road, require the right technical equipment and a well-designed space. Adequate lighting, visibility, acoustics and clear communication channels are crucial. Establishing meeting rules, e.g. clear facilitation, shorter meetings and breaks, contributes to the success of hybrid meetings.
The importance of the office for Generation Y/Z: Although Generation Y/Z employees are less likely to work in traditional offices, they still value the office as a key element in their connection to the company and its vision. They need a sense of community and reject isolated workspaces. Having grown up with technology, they expect a seamless transition between their personal and professional lives and value flexibility and autonomy in their work arrangements.
The future of work lies in creating a balance between time, place and space. In the office, it is important to promote collaboration, corporate culture and sustainability and to constantly adapt to changing circumstances.
In our new “Beautiful office – no one there” campaign, we explicitly address the issue of raising office occupancy from below 30% to over 60% so that employees are happy to return to the office and surplus office space can be sublet.
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