Fora is a client of Business Reporter.
Is your company taking sufficient steps to support your employees’ productivity and well-being? According to Enrico Sanna, CEO of Fora, valuing individual work styles is just as essential as respecting individual lifestyles.
“How was your day at the office?”
Many of us tend to brush off the question with a simple “it was okay” before collapsing on the couch, worn out. But was it truly just okay, or was it merely bearable? As the head of Fora, a division of The Office Group and a top premium workspace provider in London, I am determined to comprehend what constitutes a fulfilling work day.
As the CEO, I have two roles to fulfill. One is ensuring that our 29,000 members have an exceptional experience with our company. The other is leading a business with over 600 employees and prioritizing success while also creating a positive work environment that inspires, engages, and promotes productivity within my teams.
Many businesses in the UK and Germany, including Pangaia and GSK, see us not just as a landlord but also as a partner in providing workspace. They trust us to understand the needs of today’s workers and work with us to design customized work environments that meet their unique needs, allowing them to concentrate on their business’s growth.
The shared understanding is that an office is more than just a necessity, but a crucial factor in promoting teamwork and relationships, inspiring creativity, and expediting knowledge acquisition. While we often emphasize the social advantages of an office, it also holds great worth in meeting the unique work requirements of employees and granting them the freedom to choose their preferred working style.
We recently conducted a study through the Institute of Employment Studies, a renowned organization specializing in human resources and employment, to assist us in improving our workspaces. The research, which surveyed 2,000 knowledge workers, found that almost half of British employees (44%) felt that their work environment was impeding their productivity. This percentage increased to 51% for employees under the age of 35.
I am of the opinion that the standards for a satisfactory workplace have increased, and this is a positive development. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly brought attention to the significance of the workplace and has redirected the attention of both employers and employees, but this discourse began long before 2020. Employees have been requesting more from their work environments for quite some time.
For Fora, there is a chance to improve the current situation. From the beginning, we have been adapting the workplace to fit the changing needs and expectations of today’s employees. We strongly believe that this will lead to a more efficient and engaged workforce. Our research reveals that only 59% of those surveyed use office spaces regularly, and even fewer believe that these spaces have a positive impact on their productivity. This highlights a disconnect between what employees and employers expect in terms of facilities and amenities needed for optimal performance.
Let me clarify that creating a productive workplace for employees goes beyond just providing perks. For the past two decades, Fora has assisted employers in understanding and accommodating the diverse needs and work styles of their staff. Each individual requires a variety of spaces to concentrate, collaborate, learn, socialize, and rest throughout the workday and week. The facilities and atmosphere I seek when focusing on financial data at 10am on a Tuesday are vastly different from what I need at the end of a Thursday, when I’m brainstorming with my team.
Our workspaces are designed to support the needs of modern workers, promoting productivity and engagement. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach to managing a workplace is no longer effective, and that paying attention to individual workstyles and preferences has a significant impact on productivity, engagement, and well-being. That’s why our latest workspaces, including Chancery House in Holborn, London, prioritize employee experience with dedicated areas for various needs throughout the day. These include a fully equipped gym and rooftop terraces for relaxation and socializing with colleagues outside of the desk setting.
As employers, we need to expand our thinking beyond traditional desk and office settings and create more versatile workspaces that cater to a variety of work styles. By offering adaptable, customized, and inclusive environments, we can transform the work experience and make it not just tolerable, but enjoyable.
Enhance your productivity with Fora’s innovative workspace environment.
Source: independent.co.uk
