The Leader - September 2007 - (Page 73) sta yIN G o N: e mp lo ye e re te NtI o N by de s I G N ularly popular with companies that have employees who travel frequently and the practice can include remote offices, or inoffice space designed specifically for this purpose. Some companies have an actual “reservationist” to handle such bookings and related tasks; others simply provide an online reservation system via the company intranet. 2. collaboration and informality Many leading employers are rethinking their workspace to enhance collaboration and interaction for when employees do spend time in the office together. A recent report by Houston-based International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Space and Project Management Benchmarks, Research Report #28, revealed that since 2002, the amount of office space devoted to conference, training and breakout areas has increased by more than 17 percent. Meeting rooms are being designed to look less like the stodgy, formal boardrooms of the past and more like living rooms, with warm décor and plenty of light, cushy chairs and sofas, and attractive artwork – some even feature fireplaces. Some employers are approaching the design of their work environment as if it were a small town or city. “Neighborhoods” are quite popular today: Workers who are focused on similar tasks or objectives are grouped in areas where they each have a semi-private workspace, but also can easily see and communicate with their coworkers. These areas include “team space” for meetings and community areas for taking breaks – employees don’t have to go far from their group to engage in work or rest. The open office arrangement – embraced by companies such as Capital One and Ernst & Young – provide a mix of unassigned workspaces which remove a sense of physical hierarchy, and help to create an air of informality and enable “visual access” to other employees. There also is the “boulevard” concept, which can enhance impromptu employee interaction. Small groups of employees, or entire departments, can connect along the pathways they use while walking to certain common areas, such as the cafeteria and mailroom. 3. built-in amenities The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) predicts, in a recent WorkPlace Forecast, that work/life balance will be one of the top 10 trends influencing the workplace in the next decade. So, it’s no surprise that many employers are trying to find ways to make the office environment feel more like “home” for their employees, and help to alleviate a little bit of the stress and pressure in their lives. Amenities run the gamut, and depend on the company, what it wants to spend (and has space for), and ultimately, the wants and needs of its unique work force. Today’s employees may enjoy access to on-site gourmet cafes; gyms, which offer drop-in classes and personal training sessions; “nap rooms” (for adults); showers; washers and dryers; and even a concierge to handle mundane but necessary tasks, such as grocery or gift shopping and dry-cleaning pickups. Daycare facilities are also a very popular amenity with workers, but due to the cost of running such an operation, many companies still shy away from it. However, that likely will change within the decade as more Gen X and Y workers decide it’s time to start a family, and employers accommodate their new lifestyle. 4. a kinder, gentler workspace According to a recent study conducted by global design firm, Gensler, 90 percent of workers believe the quality of their work environment affects their mood and attitude, and nearly the same number say they are convinced it plays a key role in overall job satisfaction. However, what makes a better workspace for many employees, aside from the aforementioned built-in amenities, collegial atmosphere and the like, are some pretty straightforward features: clean air, natural light, better climate control, nice artwork on the walls, stylish ergonomic furniture with interesting colors and textures, and reliable office equipment. So, even if an employer can’t offer its employees all of the standout perks that a Google or a Capital One provides today, there clearly are more basic, less costly amenities and options that can go a long way toward enhancing employee retention. In fact, according to CoreNet Gobal’s recent global survey on work force trends, 69 percent of respondents said they had deployed improved ergonomics, lighting, comfort and functionality in the workplace within just the past year. GoING “GreeN” helps retaIN employees Increasingly, employers are finding that doing business in environmentally friendly buildings is not just a good way to cut energy costs: Going “green” can be a vital part of their employee retention and recruitment strategies, as well. A recent poll conducted by Mortgage Lenders Network USA revealed that 94 percent of U.S. workers prefer to work in a building that is designed to be energy efficient and ecologically sound. The rise in the number of individuals who want to conduct a more “environ- th e le ade r 73 september / october 2007
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