No longer a “nice-to-have,” workplace amenities have quickly become an essential ingredient in the destination office. So, what should companies zero in on to attract employees back in?
Workplace amenities are no longer solely the domain of cash-rich tech firms; they’re now a must-have for any firm looking to hire top talent and entice employees back to the office.
The office is being reimagined; it’s transforming into a destination for an experience workers can’t recreate at home. Any company looking to entice employees back for more than the occasional meeting should explore how integrating amenities could work in their workplace strategy.
The ability to work from home has set a precedent for what the office needs to offer. Workers can do their jobs effectively from the comfort of their home office, all while walking the dog during their usual commute and running errands throughout the day.
Employees have had a taste of work/life balance, and they like it; heading to the “conventional” office can feel like an obligation and inconvenience rather than an opportunity.
Now, the office needs to replicate this comfort and convenience while adding an experience the lone home office lurker lacks—human connection. In the hybrid era, employees require a variety of spaces and facilities that meet their needs personally and professionally, and now, even coffee shops and on-site gyms are expected.
And amenities are an ingredient for high-performing workplaces. According to Gensler’s 2024 Global Workplace Survey, high-performance workplaces have 2.6 times as many on-site amenities and 1.6 times as many in the local area.
Office as a destination
The office is no longer just a workplace; it’s a destination for employees to gather and socialize. The ideal office is now being compared to hotels; a place employees choose to go to that serves their needs.
Rather than simply offering a desk to work from and high-speed Wi-Fi, the office is now an experience that optimizes employees’ health and well-being as much as their productivity. While amenities might sound costly, the cost of not investing could be underutilized real estate and less-than-optimal employee satisfaction and retention.
Types of office amenities
According to JLL research, landlords should look to health and wellness initiatives, hospitality services, and outdoor spaces. But really, all of these intersect with employee well-being.
Health and wellness initiatives
More than just a trend, workplace wellness will be top of mind for leaders in 2024. Ultimately, happy and healthy employees are more productive, but equally they want to work for a company that cares about their well-being. Facilities and initiatives focused on health and well-being aren’t just about a healthy body but a healthy mind too, whether it’s fitness classes, nap pods, or spaces to relax.
Access to healthy food and the outdoors, along with opportunities to connect with colleagues, can also help foster a sense of well-being.
Hospitality services
Just like a hotel, cultivating a hospitality mindset in the office begins the moment the employee walks into the building, setting the tone for a comfortable and appealing experience.
Sadly, a mediocre coffee machine and a microwave in the kitchen likely won’t cut it anymore. Food and drink is another touch point to apply a hospitality mindset: think on-site baristas, comfortable cafes to eat and meet, and beer on tap.
Technology, space, and amenities can be leveraged to enhance the experience, foster collaboration and connection, and continue to meet employees’ evolving needs.
Outdoor spaces
It’s no secret that green spaces are good for us; in the workplace, they can boost productivity, creativity, and well-being. Outdoor spaces allow workers to recharge or foster connections in a relaxed environment, whether that’s a walking meeting or spontaneous interaction.
Taking inspiration from nature in design can also boost well-being. With biophilic design, workplace teams can bring the outside in, improving the relationship between people and nature.
How to create and implement office amenities
You don’t want to invest in costly, “shiny” amenities only not to get an ROI in its broadest sense—whether that’s employee satisfaction or a more traditional metric.
The first step is to diagnose what employees want and need from your office. You can do this by analyzing how existing spaces are used and by asking employees what they think of them.
Before you roll out an elaborate program, you can experiment with these initiatives on a smaller scale. For example, before giving the green light to an on-site restaurant, explore the impact of providing a free meal one day a week. Do they entice more employees to the office on certain days and foster social connections?
Another iterative approach is to opt for flexible furniture over static spaces so employees can adapt spaces to their needs. If you need a little help, some amenity consulting companies and solution providers can advise on the best amenities and optimize spaces for them.
Benefits of office amenities
Investing in a good return on experience (RoX) for companies leads to enhanced engagement, satisfaction, and retention among employees.
Amenities such as on-site gyms and complimentary breakfasts cater to various daily needs, providing a high Return-on-Commute. This convenience means employees can fulfill their needs for connection, exercise, and meals all in one place, streamlining their routines and enhancing their overall work experience.
Moreover, knowing that meals are provided and that there’s no need to travel between home, the yoga studio, and the office saves employees time and money. The real draw to the office, however, is the colleagues. Creating spaces and initiatives that foster human connections, alongside offering attractive amenities, ensures that employees are more likely to come to the office, thereby enriching their experience and building a stronger workplace community.
Happy employees, thanks to an increased sense of belonging and work/life balance, are more likely to be engaged and productive workers, which could have a positive knock-on effect on innovation and creativity. And it’s not just the employees themselves who benefit. Investing in employee happiness can help companies cut costs in other areas, whether it’s absenteeism due to stress or turnover. After all, workers who are happy in their roles and with the company culture are more likely to stick around.
What is the impact of amenities on employees?
Along with measuring the take-up of a given initiative or utilization of a certain space (that on-site gym, for example), gathering employee feedback will provide a fuller picture of how well your amenities are being received.
Once you’ve collated your quantitative and qualitative data, you can iterate or develop your initiatives for a greater impact.
Amenities are more than a “nice to have”
Amenity-rich workplaces aren’t just a pretty facade; they pull their weight by shifting the needle on employee metrics, and high-performing companies are beginning to make the connection between these attractive amenities and positive outcomes for the business.
Gensler’s research found a link between top performers and high-performing workplaces, as well as their likelihood of staying. Nearly all (97%) of the most engaged employees surveyed said they were likely to stay at their company the following year, compared to just over half (53%) of the least engaged.
Amenities were formerly attractive additions to an organization to attract the creme de la creme of talent. Now, they’re a core part of the employee experience that puts well-being at the top of the agenda at all levels. If companies are to make the office work harder and employees feel happier in 2024, amenities should be a core part of their workplace strategies going forward.
And it doesn’t hurt to have a nice office to work from as you make a positive impact on the lives of employees and business objectives.
For more on what employees want from the office in 2024, check out our recent blog on hybrid workplace planning.
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