2019
Workplace Trends Report
The rise of the human-centered office
INTRODUCTION The way we work, and the spaces in which we work, are rapidly evolving. Companies have become reliant on digital systems and processes to conduct business, whether that’s record keeping, communication, tracking sales and revenue, marketing, or running their workspace. The phenomenon has been dubbed the “digital transformation.” The responsive, interactive technology driving this change has also empowered individuals to seek personalized experiences, cultivate a greater connection to each other, and demand greater customization from the services and goods they purchase, especially through social media. This shift has changed employee expectations for their workplace and as a result, businesses have had to alter the way they operate to meet those needs and keep pace with the demands of a fast changing economy and technological landscape. A higher tech, more personal, and interactive approach to work and life has been one of the hallmarks of the “millennial” generation. While the millennial generation is still being treated as a “new” phenomenon at work, they already make up the majority of the workforce. Millennials are not just early-career professionals, but organizational and cultural leaders including managers, directors, founders, Vice Presidents, and CEOs. Many of the qualities that have been attributed specifically to millennials, such as valuing community, desiring purpose-driven work, and integrating their work and personal lives, are actually attributes that employees of all ages and generations now value and are actively seeking from their employers. Staying ahead of these cultural shifts in the workplace is essential for employers of all sizes and industries that wish to effectively attract and retain top talent. Based on our research and experience working with thousands of forward-thinking companies across the United States, we have identified the five workplace trends that forward-thinking companies will need to effectively integrate into their workspace to keep pace with the ways in which workplace technology and culture are rapidly evolving.
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TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2019
01
The technological evolution of human-centered workplace design
02
The rise of coworking and the focus on workplace hospitality
03
Flexible workplace policies
04
Culture is essential for employee recruitment and retention
05
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental business practices
01 The Technological Evolution of Human-Centered Workplace Design Over the past few years, office design
For example, Kickstarter’s headquarters
trends have shifted away from opulent
are located in an old pencil factory in
spaces that may have served to impress
Greenpoint, Brooklyn, while Aeria Games’
clients or bolster a CEO’s ego, and
office occupies in a former warehouse in
now focus on the needs of employees.
Berlin.
Workspaces are being designed to bring the “dream” office to life and create a space
Even companies that are locked into
where employees actually want to spend
leases in commercial office buildings are
time. Far from simply being a functional
incorporating custom design elements that
place to work, the latest office design aims
set them apart. Office teams are working
to deliver a unique, holistic, and inspiring
with local artists to design decorative
experience to employees.
and functional pieces, such as a mural based on the company’s mission and
This design shift is not limited to interior
values, or a custom boardroom table from
decor—office locations are no longer
a local furniture maker. The emphasis
ubiquitous. As formerly industrial
of these spaces is not just on beautiful
neighborhoods in cities large and small
design for design’s sake, but for creating a
are rezoned and revitalized, companies
welcoming and functional environment that
are embracing non-traditional spaces to
communicates a clear sense of place for the
create a unique setting for their office.
people who use them.
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THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMAN-CENTERED WORKPLACE DESIGN
The shift towards human-centered design
dynamic, flexible, and accommodating of
also comes out of a growing fatigue with
different types of work, working styles, and
the open plan office. An article published
personalities. The goal of these spaces is to
by Inc. in 2016 declared that, “the open
help foster productivity and innovation in
office concept is dead,” and research shows
whatever form it comes in, whether that is
that workers in open plan spaces are less
individual or group work. The office should
focused, experience greater stress, and
also enable employees to shift their focus
get sick more often. Matthew Davis, an
and remain engaged as they stay in the
Organizational Psychologist quoted in the
workplace longer.
article sums it up, writing, “An open plan can easily fit 300, 400 people in one room—it’s
Companies are adding more spaces for
a little bit like chicken factory farms. These
quiet concentration, including libraries,
are not places you want to spend much
phone booths, upholstered pods, and
time.”
“secret” nooks away from the commotion of the kitchen and lobby. These spaces
And yet time is one of the factors that
support quiet focus, a mode of working
reflect the way work is changing. Workers in
that is becoming increasingly necessary
the United States are working more hours—
in the modern workplace. A Gensler study
an average of 47 hours a week according to
found that workers in 2013 spent 54% of
a recent Gallup poll.
their time on work requiring individual focus, which was up from 48% in 2008.
While the disdain for purely open plan
The drive to create these spaces has also
spaces has been accelerating, they are not
been influenced by cultural attention to
being replaced by the cubicles and private
introverts, especially following Susan
offices of the past. Instead, office layouts
Cain’s 2012 book Quiet, which explores the
feature creatively divided space that is more
ways in which introverts are undervalued
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THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMAN-CENTERED WORKPLACE DESIGN
The library at Fractured Atlas
in the workspace and how they can be an
and video conferencing. Companies that are
innovative force when provided the right
focused on physical products, hardware, or
conditions to thrive.
design are also adding product labs or studio spaces for prototyping and experimentation
Collaborative spaces have also been
with new ideas and technology. Beyond
reimagined to support different kinds of
conference rooms and studios, more
collaboration, both in-person and as well
casual collaborative spaces are also found
as with remote team members and offsite
throughout offices, including clusters of high-
freelancers. With much of these interactions
top desks for standup meetings, comfortable
facilitated by technology, these spaces
seating for relaxed meetings, large work
inherently include large screen TVs and
tables, and white board walls.
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THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMAN-CENTERED WORKPLACE DESIGN
An extreme example of human- and tech-
The increased interest in biophilic, or
centered design is Amazon’s now iconic
plant-centered, design is rooted in more
spheres—a botanical garden-inspired glass
than aesthetics. Plants create a relaxed,
workspace full of tropical plants and water
natural feeling environment, help divide
features, which opened in early 2018. They
open spaces, and filter the air. A study
are perhaps the most prominent example
published in the Journal of Environmental
of the movement to bring immersive
Psychology found that exposure to indoor
environments and lifestyle touch points into
plants helps prevent fatigue and increase
workspace design, a tendency that will only
focus, both of which are essential in the
accelerate in 2019.
modern workplace.
Source: GeekWire
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Amazon Spheres
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THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMAN-CENTERED WORKPLACE DESIGN
With so many different spaces to oversee,
These developments will necessitate an
office and operations managers are
adaptable approach to office technology
increasingly relying on technology to
on the part of office managers. Even the
seamlessly manage them. Many offices have
most traditional workplace services, such
an entire “tech stack” to meet employee
as lighting, electricity, and heating and
needs and service their space, which
cooling systems will become tech-driven
includes an employee communication
and “smart.” As a result, office managers
platform such as Slack or Skype, a digital
will need to become savvier technology
workplace request and ticketing system,
managers in addition to people managers.
calendaring and scheduling apps such as
They will need to work hand-in-hand
Calendly and Robin, video conferencing
with their IT department to leverage new
software such as Zoom or Highfive, and an
technologies for the office and ensure they
IT provider to support all of it.
enhance the productivity and comfort of the workplace. Ideally, increased office
In 2019 and beyond, office technologies will
automation will enable operations teams
become increasingly sophisticated. Software
to spend less time on the physical upkeep
companies will develop further integrations
of their space and more time supporting
to enable more systems to work together
their team members through creating a
simultaneously, while larger tech companies
responsive, welcoming company culture.
will acquire smaller technology startups.
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02 The Rise of Coworking and the Focus on Hospitality Throughout 2018, coworking—already
spaces showcase will remain attractive to
a growing market—gained momentum
companies of all sizes.
with major investment, acquisitions, and market expansion. This growth, especially
Coworking companies such as Knotel,
among new and non-traditional coworking
WeWork, and Spaces added inventory at a
operators, may move the market towards
dizzying pace last year. According to the
saturation and a cooling on entrepreneurial
Commercial Observer, coworking spaces
investment in 2019. However, the amenities
now account for 1.7% of office space in
and style of working that coworking
Manhattan and 1.6% of office space in
The percentage of global commercial real estate that is flexible
5% currently
30% in 10 Years
Source: JLL
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THE RISE OF COWORKING AND THE FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY
Los Angeles. According to a study by real
like environments into their offices to spark
estate services firm JLL, “While the percent
greater creativity, collaboration, and out-of-
of global commercial real estate that is
the box thinking.
currently flexible hovers around 5%, that number is expected to grow to encompass
On the commercial real estate side, CBRE
30% of the market in the next decade.”
entered the coworking market with the launch of subsidiary Hana, which works with
Coworking is especially attractive to
landlords to renovate and operate coworking
growing companies who need to be dynamic
spaces. Andrew Kupiec, Hana’s CEO,
with their headcount and change size rapidly
commented on the turn towards coworking,
based on funding and revenue. Knotel has
remarking, “Sophisticated occupiers want
dubbed the turn towards coworking and
private space, but they also want the
dynamic offices spaces the “agile space
traditional coworking amenities.” However,
movement,” which stands in direct contrast
with coworking becoming increasingly
to traditional commercial leases, where a
ubiquitous, it may be a less attractive option
company is locked into a long lease and
for companies that are looking to create a
must sublet their space if they need to grow
truly unique experience for their employees.
or shrink their square footage.
In addition, as traditional commercial real estate companies foray into the space,
The flexibility, amenities, and hospitality
entrepreneurial investors may choose to
offered by coworking spaces has caught the
back more innovative, disruptive products
attention—and investment—of enterprise-
and real estate solutions. This will lead to
level companies and large commercial real
slower innovation in the coworking space in
estate firms as well. Companies like HSBC,
the years ahead.
Microsoft, and Deutsche Bank have moved specific teams into coworking spaces, while
Beyond the flexibility of not having a
Capital One has incorporated coworking-
traditional lease, one of the reasons the
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THE RISE OF COWORKING AND THE FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY
coworking model has caught on is that it
catching design that includes designer
offers fully managed spaces that emphasize
furniture, artwork, and the latest trends in
hospitality in the workspace. Coworking
office decor.
operators manage the office infrastructure such as wifi, video conferencing, and AV
The pricing models for coworking spaces
systems, and provide a range of amenities
vary from flat, all-inclusive monthly fees,
such as food and beverages. Meanwhile,
to a basic membership fee with ad hoc
their community managers cultivate a sense
charges for access to conference rooms or
of connection between the companies
snacks. The flexibility and “plug and play�
and entrepreneurs in their spaces through
nature of these spaces can be appealing
events and activities that facilitate
to companies that are just starting out.
networking and community. Coworking
However, as a company grows, coworking
spaces package all of this in modern, eye-
can become less cost effective and
The kitchen at SeatGeek
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THE RISE OF COWORKING AND THE FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY
desirable. Coworking spaces often squeeze
While many companies have chosen to
in occupants to maximize space and profits.
outsource a high-quality office experience
For example, CB Insights reported that in
for their employees to coworking operators,
WeWork’s buildings, the average square
employees are coming to expect coworking-
footage per person hovers around 50 square
like services in all types of office space. In
feet compared to the average of 250 square
the year ahead, more established companies
feet per person for commercial offices
will work to replicate the hospitality aspect
industry-wide. This square footage is even
of coworking in their offices. To create a
smaller than the recommended minimum
strategic, coherent experience, companies
of 150 square feet per person for “dense”
may look to hiring an internal community
office layouts. CB Insights also noted that
or employee experience manager who
despite this small footprint, members
can oversee office culture and hospitality.
pay an average of $8,000 per year. Such
These responsibilities include organizing
cramped, shared quarters can also make it
events and activities, designing a food and
difficult to cultivate and maintain a coherent
beverage program, and building a strong
company culture. Companies that are based
employer brand for a company. Companies
in coworking spaces are limited in the ways
can also partner with modern service
in which they can set up their workspace to
providers who understand the needs of
reflect and reinforce their culture. Working
the technology-enabled, modern office and
in a shared space can also create an uneven
the importance vendors play in creating a
experience for on-site client meetings
positive, coherent, and responsive employee
and lead to a lack of privacy for company
experience.
functions.
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03 Flexible Workplace Policies In addition to personalized office spaces,
market, companies are realizing that to
employees are seeking out more flexible
attract and retain the best talent, they must
ways of working, including working remotely
increase options for flexible work to
full- or part-time. As companies implement
support employees’ work/life integration.
more human-centered design, workplace
Flexibility, including the ability to adjust
expectations and policies are also shifting
one’s hours and work remotely, has been
to reflect the needs of their most critical
found to improve employee productivity,
resource—their people. With a tight hiring
health, and wellness. It enables employees to
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FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE POLICIES
balance caregiving responsibilities with their
offered flexibility, 83% of respondents saw
paid jobs.
an improvement in individual productivity and 61% found flexibility led to an increase in
As such, offering flexibility can also improve
profits.
diversity and inclusion efforts, because employees with caretaking responsibilities
Millennials in particular are seeking greater
are often women. Flexibility also has a
flexibility in working hours and policies.
positive impact on companies’ profitability.
Gallup’s State of the American Workplace
Inc. reported that according to researchers,
report found that 35% of employees polled
working from home appears to make people
said they’d change jobs for a flexible work
“happier and ‘massively’ more productive.”
environment and the ability to work offsite
A 2016 Vodafone study of 8,000 employers
full-time, while an additional 37% said
and employees across small, medium, and
they wanted to be able to choose to work
enterprise-sized businesses in 10 countries
remotely at least part-time. The desire to
supported this, separately finding that when
work at home reflects the developing reality
The benefits flexibility
83%
improved productivity
61% increase in profits
Source: Vodafone
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FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE POLICIES
of the American workplace—the American
back their remote work policies in an effort
Time Use Survey found that 24% of full-time
to drive innovation and increase employee
workers did work at home in 2017. A study
togetherness. Ironically, part of what drove
by Pepperdine University found that 69% of
this policy shift was a need to compete with
millennial workers believe they don’t need to
younger, more flexible companies. In 2018,
work in an office regularly to do their jobs.
the job search startup Werk commissioned a study on flexibility in the workplace and
Despite the desirability and benefits of
found that 96% of the workforce needs some
flexibility, most companies are not keeping
form of flexibility, but only 42% of workers
up with the demand for it. In 2017, large
have have access to it, and only 19% have
companies such as Yahoo, Aetna, and Bank
access to a full range of flexible options at
of America caused a media storm by rolling
work. Unfortunately, flexibility and flexible
96%
need flexibilty
Flexibility in the workplace
42%
have access to flexibility
19%
have access to a full range of flexible options
Source: Werk
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FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE POLICIES
jobs still carry a stigma that workers with
To be effective, workplace flexibility needs
flexible schedules are somehow working less
to be supported by well-defined policies
than those with more traditional hours.
that apply equally to employees at all levels
Flexibility necessitates a culture of trust.
and can be customized to employees’
Without it, employees often feel they have
specific needs and lives. In the coming
to “make up” for the time they are not in the
year, companies will continue to become
office, and as a result, some workers with
more flexible by supporting, and at times
flexible schedules tend to work more hours,
enforcing, work/life integration through clear
according to sociologist Dr. Heejun Chen.
policies that they can also use to build their
Summarizing her study on flexible work she
employer brand, attract new employees, and
wrote, “In general, if you have more control
retain current employees. This may take
over your working hours you tend to worry
the shape of “minimum vacation policies,”
more when you are not at work—and this
implementing “no meeting days,” the ability
is especially the case for those workers
to work from a variety of locations to
with most control over when and where
maximize productivity, or shifting work hours
they work.” Chung found that the most
to accommodate caretaking responsibilities.
flexible workers, those employed by the “gig
However, it will be up to company leadership
economy” were also in the most insecure
working with their People and Culture teams
positions. She explained, “This increase in
with input from all employees to forge
tendency to worry seems to be highest in
innovative, flexible policies that respond to
countries with high unemployment rates,
the specific requirements of their company
less stable labor market conditions, and if
and culture.
employees have a lack of negotiating power.”
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04 Culture is Essential for Empolyee Recruitment and Retention In 2018 the United States experienced the
can add as an “extra” or a perk, instead it
lowest unemployment rate in 18 years,
must be authentic to the company itself.
at 3.7%. In the technology sector, the
According to the Deloitte Millennial Survey,
unemployment rate dropped to 1.9% in
millennials’ loyalty to companies and trust
May of 2018. As a result of the tight hiring
of businesses’ ethics has deteriorated.
market, companies are competing for talent
However, a study by Pew Research found
and the recruitment and hiring process has
that millennials tend to stay with their
become more candidate driven. According
employers longer than the previous
to the website Talent Now, 86% of the
generation did at the same age. According
most qualified candidates for a company’s
to Pew, “In January 2016, 63.4% of employed
open positions are already employed and
Millennials, the generation born between
not actively seeking a new job. As a result,
1981 and 1998, reported that they had
employers must find ways to distinguish
worked for their current employer at least 13
themselves to candidates and retain
months. In February 2000, somewhat fewer
their current employees, making a robust
18- to 35-year-olds (59.9%)–most of whom
company culture an essential factor in the
are today’s Gen Xers—reported similar
health of their business.
job tenure. Looking at young workers with longer tenures, 22% of Millennial workers
Culture is not just something that employers
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CULTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
years as of 2016, similar to the share of Gen X workers (21.8%) in 2000.� Pew speculated that Millennials may be staying with their employers longer due to their overall higher levels of education as a generation, which tends to influence tenure. In addition, because of the tight hiring market, other jobs available may not seem as enticing, high
The cost of employee turnover
40%
Of Employees Planned a Job Change
paying, or as interesting as their current position. That said, employee churn is expected. According to a survey by Talent Now, 40% of employees surveyed planned to change
20-26
Weeks it Takes to Get a New Hire Up to Speed
jobs in 2018. When employees do leave, it costs about $7,645 to hire a new employee, according to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Replacing an employee also means a loss of productivity, as it takes about 20 to 26 weeks to get a new hire up to speed, during which a company loses 1% to 2.5% of their revenue, according to a study by Mellon Financial Corporation. More than a job, employees want to feel
$7,645
The Average Cost to Hire a New Employee
1-2.5%
Loss of Revenue During the Transition
like work gives them personal purpose and
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CULTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
an opportunity to be part of something
concerts, they are focusing on the same
larger than themselves. Many candidates
idea of building bonding and standout
can have their pick of employers, especially
experiences into the workday and office
in low unemployment fields like high
culture. Companies are sponsoring and
tech—so companies need to stand out by
encouraging employee clubs and activity
appealing to their employees’ personal and
groups, such as game nights, running,
professional ambitions. As a result, 2018
yoga, book, and movie clubs, and groups
saw the rise of branded, company-wide
that focus on community service. They are
experiences, such as Camp WeWork and
also expanding opportunities for learning
Camp Compass, as an essential part of an
beyond traditional professional development
employee’s job and company culture. While
to include employee-led classes and skill
company retreats have long been part of
shares, language lessons, and internal
businesses’ practice, these gatherings not
speaker series. For example, Glossier hosted
only focused on an opportunity for creative
Samin Nosrat, host of the Netflix show Salt,
thinking and strategy, but reinforced
Fat, Acid, Heat for a talk for their employees,
company culture, connected national and
and Hubspot’s internal speaker series has
global employees, and established the
hosted prominent guests such as the former
companies as desirable places to work.
Governor of Massachusetts to the editor of
WeWork flew in teams from all over the
the Boston Globe.
world, including from recently acquired companies like Meetup and Flatiron School,
Vanessa Shaw, founder of the Human Side
and brought in pop band Bastille to perform,
of Tech, commented, “Employees want
adding a veneer of exclusive cool to their
professional development. They want
company-wide retreat.
promotions. Millennials, in particular, want to feel like they’re making an impact.” To
While not all companies can afford, or
this end, companies are also incorporating
choose to spend their money on, private
volunteering, civic engagement, and social
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CULTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
responsibility into their employee experience
bolster their cultural and community efforts
and their employer brand. For example, REI
to differentiate themselves and publically
has closed on Black Friday for the past few
illustrate their values.
years, publicizing the slogan “Opt Outside,” to raise awareness about outdoor spaces
Another way companies are working to
and activities—and make a bold brand
stand out is by building a distinguishable
statement. Employers such as Patagonia
brand not only for their customers, but
publicized their decision to close on Election
also for their employees and prospective
Day to give their employees the day off to
employees. Building an “employer brand”
vote, a trend that is growing.
that works alongside the sales-driven
Companies are looking for creative and meaningful ways to reward and recognize their employees to highlight the company’s values, support employee retention, and appeal to potential hires. A survey by the Society for Human
brand has been prioritized in the past
Resources Management found that a record
year. In conjunction with employee-centric
44% of U.S. firms gave workers paid time off
workplace design and company policies,
on Election Day in 2018, up from 37% in 2016.
companies are looking for creative and
Efforts like these not only attract positive
meaningful ways to reward and recognize
attention to the company as an employer,
their employees to highlight the company’s
but make employees feel like they can not
values, support employee retention, and
only express their personal values at work,
appeal to potential hires. To this end, more
but through those of their employer. As the
companies are creating unique employee
labor market remains tight, companies will
gifts that mark personal personal and
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CULTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
professional milestones. These gifts, like
forgettable swag of the past and using
custom backpacks, water bottles, jackets,
employee gifts and company swag as an
hats, and enamel pins create an air of
important part of the overall employee
collectability and exclusivity—
experience.
strategies more usually associated with designer streetwear brands. They also
In another effort to differentiate themselves
add to a company’s desirability as an
and further showcase their values, companies
employer. In creating these gifts, companies
are connecting their in-office amenities to
such as Casper, BARK, and Intercom are
their values and ethics. For example, many
emphasizing quality over the disposable,
are choosing to order team meals and event
Employee swag at Casper
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CULTURE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
catering from businesses that support
the need to order canned drinks. Finally,
local farmers and independent restaurants,
the vendors and service providers that
such as New York City’s Green Top Farms
companies choose to maintain their office
and FoodtoEat or growing chains like
can also reflect their values. Managed by Q
Sweetgreen, Dig Inn, and Tender Greens.
specifically works with independent, local
Some offices may even extend this idea
businesses to provide high-quality office
by working with farm-to-desk providers
services custom to an employer’s space.
like Brooklyn-based SquareRoots, which
As companies work to strengthen their
delivers locally grown greens directly to
culture and differentiate themselves as
offices. Amenities can also emphasize
employers, they will increasingly focus on
health and environmental impact. For
amplifying their mission and values through
example, choosing to have cold brew coffee
employer branding, cultural experiences in
on tap reduces the need buy coffee in
the workplace, and employee services and
plastic cups, and having a smart water and
amenities that reflect their team’s lifestyle
seltzer dispenser like Bevi cuts down on
choices.
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05 Diversity and Inclusion are Fundamental Business Practices Over the past year, the practice and
Reset and reporter Emily Chang’s Brotopia
conversation around building inclusive
brought increased critical attention to
workplaces has evolved rapidly. Efforts to
discrimination in the tech industry. Over the
build strong workplace culture, effectively
past year the #metoo movement has also
recruit and retain employees, and create
exposed employee harassment by company
a human-centered office will not endure
leaders, highlighted weak corporate anti-
without policies that create, support,
discrimination policies, and illustrated how
and enforce an inclusive and respectful
far many industries have to go to create
workplace.
safe and inclusive work environments for all employees.
Diversity and inclusion are now a requirement when it comes to the
Post-#metoo, workplaces and governments,
workplace, both legally and culturally.
including New York State, have implemented
While tech companies have long sponsored
mandatory training on sexual harassment in
events like women’s coding programs or
the workplace. Companies have also begun
conferences in an effort to tip their hat
to scrutinize which aspects of their company
towards diversity efforts, these surface-level
culture could potentially contribute to a
efforts are no longer viewed as sufficient.
hostile work environment. For example,
Books such as venture capitalist Ellen Pao ’s
WeWork put limitations around the hours
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE FUNDAMENTAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
in which their occupants could consume
sponsored and employee-driven groups
complimentary beer on tap during the day.
that advocate, organize activities, and raise
Companies are also more widely adopting—
awareness for employees from diverse
and publicizing—clear codes of conduct,
backgrounds. These groups often focus on
which outline unacceptable behavior and its
members of underrepresented communities,
consequences.
such as veterans, LBGTQIA people, or specific ethnic groups within the workplace.
As prospective employees scrutinize employers more heavily based on their
Finally, when it comes to equal pay, more
diversity and inclusion policies and
companies have been going through
practices, companies will adjust their
independent, third-party reviews and audits
recruiting practices to build more diverse
of their compensation data, such as those
teams. For example, Facebook has taken
offered by bethanye Blount’s company
what they call a “diverse slate” approach to
Compaas, to ensure that all employees
hiring where they aim to interview at least
are being equally compensated based on
one candidate from an underrepresented
their work, position, and experience. These
background for every open role. Other
kind of audits will become more common
companies are choosing to lengthen the
and companies can use them as another
hiring process for open roles so that they
tool for employer branding, so prospective
can ensure they consider a diverse range of
employees from diverse backgrounds can
applicants.
be confident that they will be compensated fairly when joining a new company.
To retain employees from diverse backgrounds, companies are also
In addition to being more responsive to
sponsoring groups that help team members
employees’ personalities and working
feel welcome and connected. Employee
styles, the physical office space must also
Resource Groups (ERGs) are executive-
support inclusion. In offices with more than
Managed by Q
2019
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE FUNDAMENTAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
50 employees, the Department of Labor
with limited mobility and disabilities.
requires a wellness room for nursing parents
Companies are becoming more responsive
and employees with medical needs that is
to employees’ gender identity and
separate from the rest of the office, blocked
expression through cultural initiatives,
from view, has a locking door, comfortable
company policy, and workspace changes.
seating, and refrigeration. Offices also must
This is especially important because
ensure that their workstations, common
an increasing number of states prohibit
areas, conference rooms, and other spaces
discrimination based on gender and sexual
are accessible and welcoming for people
orientation and open legal avenues to
Source: Basicspace
Managed by Q
A private office space at Ordergroove
2019
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE FUNDAMENTAL BUSINESS PRACTICES
identify as gender non-binary on legal
companies are also adding gender-neutral
documents. During employee onboarding,
restrooms in their offices and informing
office introductions, and at public events
their employees they are welcome to use
that require name tags, more companies
the facilities that correspond to the gender
are inviting employees and guests to self-
with which they identify. As the number
identify with their preferred pronouns,
of Americans who identify as LGBTQIA
including the gender-neutral they/them.
and gender non-conforming increases,
HR departments are also auditing benefit
from 8.1% of millennials according to
packages to ensure they cover health
a 2017 Gallup poll, these practices will
care for transgender employees and
become increasingly important and central
revising dress code policies to ensure
to workplace inclusion and employee
they are gender-neutral. In line with the
recruitment and retention efforts.
Human Rights Campaign’s 2016 report “Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace,”
Employers need to be intentional,
over 330 companies have adopted “gender
thoughtful, and explicit in their efforts to
transition guidelines” to ensure they are
increase diversity and foster inclusion,
administratively and culturally equipped to
understanding that they are not simply
support employees who undergo a gender
“nice to have,” but factors that are
transition during their tenure. To ensure that
connected to a company’s overall success
transgender and gender non-conforming
and performance.
people feel comfortable and safe at work,
Managed by Q
2019
CONCLUSION Throughout 2018, the movement towards more “human-centered” workplace design, policy, and culture has accelerated. This approach to work spaces and culture contrasts the purely “open plan,” “hierarchy-free” spaces and organizations that became popular four to ten years ago. These offices offered little respite for different types of work and different personalities. In their effort to enforce a feeling that everyone was equal, they instead took a blanket, generic approach to work and the office. While coworking spaces have been gaining momentum and major investment, the one-size-fits-all coworking model is also antithetical to this movement to customize offices to the specific people and companies that are using them. Despite their trendy design and slick amenities, many of which come at an added cost, coworking spaces tend to take a cookie-cutter approach to what creativity and collaboration looks like in the workspace. Instead of one-size-fits-all or adhering to specific trends, company leaders, office operations teams, and people and culture departments can feel empowered to create a workspace that serves their team members, culture, and business needs. Just as the “digital transformation” has enabled consumers to demand and expect a more personalized experience when it comes to the goods and services they purchase, these shifting cultural expectations around work enable companies to look within and see how they can best meet the needs of their employees and culture. Companies can now fully embrace their own model of hospitality, design, and culture to highlight their values and differentiate themselves as an employer. In an era when employees are looking for purpose as well as a profession, and work and personal life are becoming increasingly integrated, employers will be scrutinized based on how well they support flexibility and diversity and inclusivity in both their policies and physical office space. To be successful and remain relevant in 2019 and beyond, companies must embrace their individuality and create spaces that respond to the needs of their employees and align
Managed by Q
2019
In an era when employees are looking for purpose as well as a profession, and work and personal life are becoming increasingly integrated, employers will be scrutinized based on how well they support flexibility, diversity, and inclusivity in both their policies and physical office space. To be successful and remain relevant in 2019 and beyond, companies must embrace their individuality and create spaces that respond to the needs of their employees and align with their mission and values. For companies looking to create a forward-looking experience for their team, Managed by Q can help manage the entire workplace, from regular maintenance and event planning to custom design and staffing an employee experience manager. Managed by Q’s services enable workplace operations and people and culture teams to implement the many features, amenities, and policies that have quickly become fundamental to the modern, human-centric workplace.
Managed by Q
2019