In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses worldwide have been compelled to reimagine the traditional office space. As remote work became the norm, companies sought innovative ways to entice employees back to the workplace while prioritising their safety, comfort, and productivity. Enter the concept of "hotelification" – a transformative approach to corporate environments that borrows from the hospitality industry to create enticing workspaces. In this article, we delve into how hotelification is reshaping workspaces post Covid lockdown and its profound impact on the future of work.
The evolution of workspaces
Gone are the days of mundane cubicles and sterile office settings. The pandemic accelerated the shift towards flexible and collaborative work environments, prompting companies to rethink their approach to workspace design. Enterprising organisations recognized the potential of infusing corporate spaces with hotel-like amenities to enhance the employee experience.
Hotelification: redefining the Office experience
It is not about office receptions suddenly looking like hotel lobbies or raiding the hospitality industry to fill vacancies in your FM teams. It is about understanding that hotel experience is benchmarked by the employees against the experience they have in the office and how much they paid for that experience.
Employees who pre-pandemic saw the costs of commuting to work as a “cost of living” have reclassified that expense. They now see it as a “cost of working”.
Hotelification encompasses a range of amenities and services designed to replicate the comforts of a hotel within the workplace. From concierge services and fitness centres to gourmet dining options and relaxation zones, these features aim to create a more inviting and dynamic atmosphere conducive to productivity and employee well-being. Post Covid lockdown, the emphasis on health and safety has led to the integration of advanced cleaning protocols, touchless technology, and flexible work arrangements to accommodate hybrid work models.
The expense of commuting to work
Many have proven capable of fulfilling their duties without the need to incur the expenses associated with travelling to a physical workplace. Yet, most organisations have failed to adequately articulate the value of employees congregating in a centralised corporate setting. This phenomenon can be likened to the "hotelification effect." Just as staying in a hotel may offer a subpar experience compared to sleeping in one's own bed, with issues like weak showers or noisy surroundings, bad food quality, employees are questioning the rationale behind returning to the office. If the office lacks quality WiFi, refreshments, clean facilities, or suitable meeting spaces and technology for remote collaboration, why should they bother commuting? Why invest time and money in a space that doesn't measure up to the comfort and functionality of their own homes for carrying out their job responsibilities?
The Impact on employee well-being and productivity
The benefits of hotelification extend beyond aesthetics – they directly impact employee morale, engagement, and productivity. By providing amenities that prioritise mental and physical well-being, such as wellness programs, meditation rooms, plants and ergonomic workstations, employers foster a supportive and empowering work culture. Employees feel valued and motivated, leading to higher levels of job satisfaction and performance.
Furthermore, the integration of flexible workspaces and collaborative areas promotes innovation and teamwork, essential elements in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Hotelification encourages serendipitous encounters and idea sharing, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration that drives organisational success.
Purposeful Presence
It is a simple proposition for employees who are offered a reasonable level of choice and autonomy for when they use an office, those trips will increasingly be with a particular purpose in mind. This purpose driven return to office is clear in our data already, as employees come to associate the office with supporting certain tasks more effectively than their homes. Once these forces are recognised, employers can use them to better support employees.
That said, Purposeful Presence also offers employers a formidable challenge: employees ‘investing’ in their time in-office, will increasingly have heightened expectations for how well those workplaces support that narrower range of tasks.
The future of work
As we navigate the post-pandemic era, the concept of hotelification will continue to shape the future of work. Companies that embrace this approach demonstrate their commitment to employee-centric policies and adaptability in the face of change. Moreover, as competition for talent intensifies, offering an exceptional workplace experience becomes a strategic imperative for attracting and retaining top talent.
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