Companies all around the globe are facing a phenomenon known as “The Great Resignation”. Employees all around the world are resigning due to fatigue and frustration, whether it be from overworking or from a lack of career progression.
Closer to home, the phenomenon has also impacted companies and businesses, with as many as 74% of Singaporeans intending to resign by the end of the year. And it is not just the employees that are feeling stressed. Employers are experiencing stress, having to ensure the profitability of their company and manage overheads. Additionally, in order to ensure the retainment of talents, many are expected to demonstrate empathy and care by going the extra mile.
Having been impacted by the still ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, employees’ well-being has been the main priority of every company across the planet. Prioritising work-life balance and ensuring safety in the office are one of the few factors employers have to consider when engaging their employees. With many companies adopting a hybrid work system, the importance of a well-designed office interior design is more important than ever.
Applying employee-centric design thinking in workspaces is vital to help drive employees’ engagement and foster a sense of belonging to the company. As an office interior design company in Singapore, we ensure that, first and foremost, we design and build with the people who will utilise the space in mind. By doing so, we are able to ensure that the space aligns with the company’s preferences, patterns, and working needs.
There are three ways in which we ensure that your office space interior design can help you win the war for talents in Singapore.
1. Building branding and culture with the right choice of colours
The power of colours in the workspace is often undermined. More than just a palette tool to elevate the interior’s aesthetic, colours have the ability to affect and influence behaviour and mindsets. In regards to office design, the colours utilised in the branding of the company are able to connect employees and foster a sense of cohesiveness and identity. Colours carry different meanings. Hence, choosing the right colours also helps to personalise the brand and show others their personality. For example, blue represents focus, productivity, and confidence, while red represents energy, urgency, and efficiency.
You can also elevate the use of colours with the use of visual imageries that attract customers, guests, clients, and employees to the value and culture of the company.
2. Provide choice and flexibility
With general well-being and mental health two of the few workplace priorities desired in a company, many employees all around the world have stated that they would prefer a bottom-up system where they feel respected and thus feel comfortable providing feedback on what matters. Vice versa, employers have to be reasonable to provide flexibility in the workplace. This applies not just to remote working but also to the use of space when their employees are in the office.
It is vital in the battle to attract and retain talents that companies need to develop great sensitivity to their employees’ needs. Things to consider when designing a space are “Do employees prefer a focus pod for more private conversations?”, “Are quiet zones necessary for employees to take a break?” or “Do employees prefer a fixed working environment, or do they want the option to work from anywhere in the office?”
In recent years, while not being a new concept, there has been a rise in Activity-Based Work centric designs. That means fewer desks and more open spaces. This concept frees up desk space to allow efficient use of space, better engagement between employees, and safer distancing. Employees will feel better knowing that they have the choice and flexibility to work wherever they want.
3. Implementing social spaces
Social interaction is a key aspect in attracting and retaining talents. Pockets of socialisation help to break the monotony of working and provides relief from fatigue from working after a long day. Hence, social spaces, such as pantries, hotdesking zones, and play areas with activities like pool tables, table-tennis tables, and gaming stations, are some examples of socialisation and collaborative corners in today’s workspace.
Conclusion
As the battle to attract and retain talents in the workspace continues, defined and strong company culture is crucial. That can only be achieved when your work environment is designed around the people in the office. If you are embarking on conducting an extensive office interior renovation process, do consider these three factors when doing so. Contact us to find out how OSCA Asia can help you achieve a fun and engaging work environment that attracts and retains talent.