A few weeks ago, UnWork hosted an exclusive roundtable at WeWork’s Moor Place, bringing together senior workplace professionals for an engaging discussion on the evolving dynamics of work.
The room buzzed with insightful conversations, covering essential topics such as well-being strategies, the impact of emerging technologies on workplace experiences, and the importance of designing for diversity and inclusion. Here are the key takeaways from our discussion…
Return-to-Office Dynamics
The Return-to-Office (RTO) debate has resurfaced with noticeable trends such as peak office days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and a greater focus on how the workplace can support the full spectrum of work.
The ‘cold war’ between employees and employers wages on as businesses negotiate RTO strategies alongside employee expectations. As employers seek to bring employees into the office more regularly, some RTO mandates are met with minimal compliance, such as brief office appearances or ‘coffee badge’ behaviours — showing up just long enough to be seen. There is a clear sense that businesses need to understand their mission first before creating a strategy for RTO and their real estate portfolio.
Workplace as a Destination
Corporate real estate leaders emphasise that a one-size-fits-all approach to workplace does not work. The focus is on quality spaces with flexible, modular designs that are located near transport hubs. The office must provide value beyond the home environment, offering experiences that attract employees, such as wellness amenities and community-driven layouts.
Evolving Workplace Experience Design
Workplace experience is used as a tool to enhance culture, recharge connections and strengthen purpose. However, there are two key challenges when designing workplace experience: how we design for the complexity of individual people and the fact that experience is subjective.
Experience design has moved beyond static and rigid personas to more dynamic models that account for individual needs throughout the day. Key considerations include accessibility, diversity and the seamless integration of digital and physical touchpoints to create authentic, intentional workplace experiences. To create these experience, organisations must undergo a thorough experience mapping process.
Wellbeing as a Performance Driver
Employee wellbeing has overtaken pay as a top factor influencing retention. A holistic approach encompassing mind, body, community, and financial wellbeing is now essential. The latest report from engagement analytics firm Gallup found that just one in three employees are thriving at work. Technology plays a crucial role in monitoring and supporting wellbeing, though trust and data privacy remain significant challenges.
Technology as an Enabler of Workplace Transformation
Advanced technologies like Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and AI-driven apps are reshaping workplaces. UWB is accessible through WiFi networks and has an accuracy of around four inches to measure occupancy and utilisation. Although it uses existing infrastructure, it requires careful consideration of where to place WiFi access points within the office.
AI can also be leveraged in a more meaningful way, using data to ‘restack’ a building in real-time to create density and ‘vibe’ across the office. AI-powered apps can be used to make suggestions of where employees should sit and who they should meet based on their data and preferences. From optimising space utilisation to enhancing employee experiences through personalised recommendations, technology is central to creating agile, responsive work environments.
Measuring Presence and Performance
There is often a discrepancy between badge data and actual occupancy, raising questions about how to measure true workplace engagement. For example, data might show that employees are present in the building, but this doesn’t reveal how long they stay, how engaged they are, or whether their presence translates into productivity.
Without accurate insights, companies may default to rigid RTO policies, not because they’re proven to work, but because there’s insufficient evidence to support alternative models. To move beyond this, organisations need to invest in integrated data strategies that combine physical presence with metrics on collaboration, wellbeing, and output.
Bridging Real Estate, HR and Technology Silos
A unified approach across real estate, HR, and technology is needed to optimise workplace strategies. However, these functions often operate in silos. Real estate focuses on space utilisation and cost-efficiency, HR drives employee wellbeing and culture, while IT manages the digital infrastructure. However, workplace experience spans all these areas — requiring cross-functional collaboration to succeed.
The key is to create ‘connected ecosystems’ where data flows seamlessly between departments, enabling better decision-making. This could involve shared dashboards, cross-functional workplace strategy teams, and regular alignment meetings to ensure that employee experience is viewed through an integrated lens, not as a series of isolated initiatives.
The New Value Proposition of the Office
Employees expect personal benefits from coming into the office. Beyond functional spaces, the workplace must offer experiences that support professional growth, social connection, and convenience. This shift requires organisations to continuously re-evaluate the purpose and value of their office environments.
For many, the office needs to be a ‘magnet’ rather than a mandate. This could mean designing spaces that support spontaneous collaboration, offering amenities that enhance wellbeing (like wellness floors or quiet zones), or providing access to technology and resources that improve productivity.
There is a shift towards more flexible environments where the office adapts to the individual, not the other way around. The focus is on creating authentic, purpose-driven experiences that align with both organisational goals and employee motivations. This continuous re-evaluation ensures that the office remains a valuable asset, not just a cost centre.
At UnWork, we are committed to driving innovation and reshaping the future of work. if you’re interested or embarking on this journey, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out at [email protected].