Future of Work: The regenerative workplace
The regenerative workplace is about putting people at the centre.
The pandemic is having a huge impact on the present and the future of the workplace. Office workers worldwide welcomed the newfound flexibility and an opportunity to spend more time with their families while working from home during lockdowns. However, for many, the adoption of remote working has led to increased feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety. Our research shows that a holistic approach is needed towards the health and wellbeing of employees, especially to support their physical, social and mental wellness.
Working from home is not a permanent solution. It has blurred boundaries between the personal and professional lives of many employees across the globe. According to JLL research, 75% of employees struggle to maintain strong relationships with colleagues while working from home. Many feel disconnected from office life and their workplace community due to prolonged remote working.
Meanwhile, better work-life balance and a stronger focus on health and wellbeing are highlighted as the topmost future priority for employees. As organisations plan their transition to a post-pandemic future, we believe it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for employers to create a new regenerative workplace, which puts people at the centre. By genuinely taking care of their employees’ health and wellbeing, employers will be in a position to achieve sustainable performance.
Below is our five-step approach to creating a regenerative workplace:
Keep in mind that the health and wellbeing of your people are your best assets – it is your ‘fuel’, and it should be valued, cared for and used responsibly.
Listen to your employees to understand how they work best and what they need to achieve sustainable performance.
Help the regeneration process by capturing the benefits of the remote-working experience – flexibility, greater autonomy, a better work-life balance, comfort and safety.
Make your office a hub of collaboration and creativity, a caring environment that supports employee health and wellbeing.
Think long-term and holistically to engrain a new culture of individual and collective responsibility for wellness among everyone in the workforce.