Why brick-and-mortar office spaces are still important – even now

These days, it seems like home is the new office. Working from home has evolved from a necessary evil to a way of life that many aren’t ready to part with. Companies across the globe have discovered ample productivity and a job well done can happen anywhere, but even if output is the same, has working from home changed the inner workings of organizations? Whether it’s a complete return to the office or a hybrid model, the benefits of a brick-and-mortar office space are worth considering.

Culture
It’s hard to feel a sense of togetherness when you’re not… together. While the digital age has given us the incredible ability to communicate quickly and efficiently from anywhere, there’s still something about FaceTime that just isn’t as good as actual face time. At ServiceMaster by Stratos, we’ve long said the relationship between culture and communication is an intimate one, as a company’s culture is best crafted, conveyed and learned through communication. It sure can be hard to shape a culture when your communication time is limited. Having a physical office space allows us to connect with one another in a way remote work does not. At home, you can’t joke with colleagues at the water cooler or stop by a coworker’s desk to say hi. Not to mention, it’s hard to replicate the organic collaboration that tends to happen when you’re just a few office doors down from a teammate. 

Work-life balance
No organization can thrive if its members struggle to maintain work-life balance. As work-focused and determined as our society is, it’s crucial employees find a way to strike the perfect equilibrium between an enriching life and a fulfilling job. However, the line between work and play can blur when working from home. It’s difficult to get into a task-oriented, occupational headspace when you’re sitting in the same spot you watched television the night before. While wearing your fuzzy slippers to work isn’t a bad thing, it’s great to have an office to work from when productivity is waning and your mind needs a little clearing.

Training and growth
Being in a traditional office setting also has tangible advantages for managers. It’s easier to train a new hire when they see the way your company runs firsthand. Similarly, it allows for more robust professional development when employees have the opportunity to experience different kinds of situations, interact with coworkers and really see how their role impacts the team. Additionally, it’s also easier to implement and maintain workplace policies at the office.

Brick-and-mortar office spaces aren’t the right thing for everyone, just like virtual work isn’t the best path for all. But, in this rapidly changing environment filled with technological advancements and general uncertainty, where do culture, work-life balance and training fit into your world?