The pandemic has shaken up our work lives and paved the way for a clear change. While the benefits of remote work were celebrated, there seems to be a growing yearning to return to the office. A noticeable shift has begun, and there are clear signals that the importance of the office is resuming its central role.
The Office: More Than Just a Place to Work
The office has proven to be more than just a workspace; its environment has a significant impact on our well-being. A recent survey by Castellum, "The Future of Work – An Annual Report on Office Trends 2024," reveals that we are spending more and more time at the office, while the advantages of remote work are diminishing. Collaboration, productivity, and our well-being suffer when we are not physically present at the workplace. An overwhelming majority, eight out of ten people, believe that the office environment is crucial when job hunting, and a better environment leads to higher attendance. Furthermore, being present in the office is important for health.
The Workplace is Crucial for Success
It is evident that the office environment plays a crucial role. The main advantages of working in the office include the opportunity to interact with colleagues and that the job becomes easier to perform. A 45% increase from the previous year states that the office helps to make work easier.
Leaving the virtual home office and returning to the physical office has its advantages when it comes to leveraging social interactions to boost productivity. Being comfortable at the workplace can be critical for a company's success, and several studies show that the work environment and pleasant colleagues affect the choice of employer.
– We at CONVENDUM notice that many companies, both employers and employees, experience increased satisfaction from meeting in person. The workplace is a meeting and communication platform where people come together to exchange ideas, thoughts, and experiences, something that cannot be done in the same way through remote work. Therefore, it has been a central issue for us to create opportunities for people to meet in attractive environments that fulfill our essential social needs while also boosting productivity,” says Oscar Limbäck, COO at CONVENDUM.
Coworking Becoming Increasingly Popular
Companies like CONVENDUM offer amenities for their employees and serve as a platform for recruiting and retaining staff, where flexible solutions and scalability are key factors. According to Castellum’s survey, the office environment is a crucial factor in retaining valued employees and is also important when choosing an employer, especially for younger workers. Good coffee, breakfast, and a gym are highly prioritized on office workers’ wish lists. Coworking is becoming increasingly popular, with a significant majority considering working in such environments. The benefits include the ability to focus on core activities in an inspiring environment that promotes both the company's and the individual's well-being.
Claudia Galli Concha runs the PR and marketing agency Galli Agency and is based at CONVENDUM Nybrogatan 17. Membership offers a sense of community, well-being, and inspiration.
– CONVENDUM helps me grow as a person and in my business. I get so much inspiration from the other people who are here. There’s something about this bubbly feeling, that everyone here is doing what they’re passionate about. It’s inspiring,” says Claudia Galli Concha.
