Pictured: Kimball Divider Screens

Coming off the heels of one of the most disruptive years in our time, 2021 is going to see plenty of change in the workplace. While remote work isn’t expected to go away, plenty of people will be returning to the office and it’s important to prepare.

According to the National Research Group, 56% of Generation Z want to return to the workplace to enjoy socializing and share ideas in person. This means businesses need to start planning now to anticipate change in 2021. These are 4 noteworthy trends coming to the workplace in 2021 

Open plan pivot

It’s no surprise businesses are scrambling to modify their open floor plan. Just as we were hitting the peak of social gatherings in the workplace, a huge pivot is required to promote social distancing. Will expect to see architectural changes with movable walls that will define smaller spaces and pathing throughout the office.

Now more than ever workplace furniture will need to be flexible and responsive. Walls and dividers that came down over the past decade will now have to go back up. Divider Screens and products like Kimball Narrate are well equipped to adapt to new workplace requirements.

Residential vibe

Although you may be sick and tired of your home office by now, expect more residential vibes at the office in 2021. Even before COVID, remote work has been shaping the office environment. We expect to see soft and plush surfaces, warm colors and seating that resembles the living room. Heather Goerzen, designer at Havenly says: “2021 is an invitation to bring more joy and cheer into your home office with a more playful and vibrant palette. Much like the rest of home design, we expect to see a rise in colorful home office accents, from bold rugs to statement chairs.”

Tech and video 

By now, we’ve all adapted to video conferencing technology as social distancing forced us into uncharted territory. Expect video to continue to be a dominating tech trend in 2021. Conference rooms and individual workstations must be outfitted with the latest technology to accommodate video conferencing needs.

IT infrastructure may also need to be reviewed in order to meet the demand. Power and connectivity requirements will need to adapt to the influx of mobile and hardwired screens and devices. Unless you’re confident in upgrading your tech yourself, we recommend bringing on an in-house IT person or partnering with a local service provider. 

Sanitization

It’s not glamorous or arguably even a trend, but sanitization will be key for workplaces in 2021. Much of what we have learned and adapted to in 2020 will follow us well into 2021. Sanitization stations will be everywhere and cleaning protocols will be streamlined and implemented across the workplace.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of changes coming in 2021. The change will come in many different forms. Create a planning committee as soon as possible to review your workplace needs in 20201. Don’t hesitate to invite a BOLD Office Solution representative to the discussion. You don’t have to face these challenges alone.

At any given time healthcare environments are subjected to some of the most chaotic workplace conditions. It’s an environment that moves at a frightening pace, but it is also an environment that is expected to offer comfort to patients in their care. Whether you are a caregiver or a patient, the healthcare environment needs to be flexible enough to meet a wide variety of needs.

Imagine yourself sitting in a row of gray office cubicles with gray walls and gray furniture. How does that make you feel?

If you’re like most people, it probably makes you feel uninspired, maybe even a little depressed.

Fortunately, the days of Dilbert-style cubicles set in a cold and colorless office world is over. But how does color affect space? How can it be used to improve health, productivity, and happiness? Let’s explore why color in the workplace is so important.

Pictured: Kimball Narrate, Kore, Xsede Height Adjust

Largely considered an experiment not too long ago, hot-desking is rapidly being adopted in the modern workplace. Open Plan brought down walls and connected core groups to work collaboratively. Hot-desking takes this philosophy even further by giving employees freedom from having a dedicated desk and workspace. 

Perfect for The Sales Team

Being in sales means you are most likely managing accounts, meeting clients and nurturing leads. Essentially, you are always on the go. When a salesperson walks into the office, they need a place to charge up, make phone calls and pluck away on the laptop for an hour. As long as the right technology is in place, a space dedicated to hot-desking is a perfect solution for employees who frequently come and go.

Less Clutter

By not having a dedicated desk, employees are less likely to have a lot of clutter. Personal effects are always nice to have, but if the workstyle is nomadic in nature, there won’t be a need for personal clutter. This also includes paperwork, unnecessary peripherals, and accessories which aren’t a requirement for a mobile workforce.

Cost-effective

If a worthy percentage of your workforce fits the hot-desking model, your business can save money by incorporating spaces dedicated to hot-desking. You’ll have less of a footprint and in today’s business environment, we all know square footage is expensive. You will have fewer components and expensive equipment to purchase. Studies suggest a business can save up to 30% by adopting a hot-desking workspace.

It’s Not For Everyone

While hot-desking is rising in popularity, it’s not a good fit for everyone. There are some obvious disadvantages to hot-desking and really depends on your work style.

People like to add a little (or a lot) of personality to their desk. With hot-desking, you can’t leave behind any personal belongings because someone else will inevitably be using the same space right after they leave. It also means chair settings, desk-heights, and other customizations can’t be guaranteed to remain intact after you leave. Sustained ergonomics are not included with hot-desking.

The idea behind hot-desking is a sound one. Why dedicate a large desk and accessories to an employee who may only need it occasionally? There are some things to consider before adopting the hot-desk trend. The best strategy is to start small. Gather your team and open the discussion. If it makes sense, you can start to incorporate hot-desking into the workplace. Be sure to contact BOLD Office solutions for any questions about hot-desking furniture and trends.