Who would have thought being included and participating at work would someday be impacted by FOMO – Fear of Missing Out? With some employees working from home and others in the office, it is a real consideration in today’s office environments.
The key to an organization’s hybrid workspace being successful goes well beyond everyone having the same laptop. The ultimate goal being digital parity; not just the same technical requirements, but the same experience of communicating and collaborating with coworkers, whether remote or in-person.
Company Culture
It may seem strange to talk about concepts like happy employees and positive organizational culture in the same breath as adaptive technology, but the truth is, in today’s modern workplace it’s all interrelated. Sight, sound, and touch are essential elements that contribute to the feel of a space, while seamless technology integration improves both business efficiency and employee capability & satisfaction. At a time when employee burnout and talent retention are proving challenging for even the most established of organizations, it’s more important than ever to create a fun, supportive environment with technology that integrates & facilitates the flexibility of modern-day life. This extends well beyond the office environment, and now includes remote technological capabilities that allow for employee inclusion & participation, regardless of geographical location.
Remote Factors
Working remotely certainly has plenty of advantages but can grow frustrating if company technology isn’t keeping pace with a BYOD environment. What works in the office also needs to be flexible and portable enough to function at home or elsewhere. Conversely, vulnerabilities and disruptions when outside the traditional workplace need to be addressed and managed. For example, data security can be a challenge when the office is a spare bedroom or a table at the local coffee shop, and busy households can be noisy.
Luckily, many technology manufacturers are already responding to these new environmental needs by introducing specialized equipment or capabilities to address the challenges of modern-day work life. Collaborative platforms can filter background noise, video backgrounds can be changed, and many platforms now include secure chat and document sharing. As for that FOMO we mentioned, AI-enabled cameras can now identify active speakers/presenters in a particular meeting, so those at home can feel more connected to coworkers on-site.
In-Person Factors
Back at the office, things may also look very different than they did pre-2020. For many companies, it no longer makes sense to hold private offices for individual employees who may only be in the office for part of their workweek. Instead, hoteling models that incorporate touch-down workspaces and ad-hoc booking capabilities for conference rooms are the new standard.
To manage a more fluid schedule, employees may utilize scheduling apps via their mobile device and can scan for an open workspace based on real-time occupancy data, to find a desk for the day. Company corkboards have been replaced by digital signage and wayfinding has become critical, as workers & guests navigate potentially unfamiliar workspaces.
While workplace cleanliness has always been a necessity, more stringent health considerations will undoubtedly remain a priority for the foreseeable future. Technology that lends itself to less physical interaction from multiple participants, is now standard fare. Using a personal smartphone, workers can now safely navigate to a desk on an unfamiliar floor, control certain meeting space technologies, reserve a shared space, or even join a virtual call.
The basics of human interaction will always require participants to feel engaged and included. In today’s modern workplace, technology is a critical piece of this infrastructure, to help drive inclusion, regardless of location. If you’re looking to design and build the most efficient and productive environments for your team, let us know.
We got you.
