Office Space: From ‘Work Hub’ to ‘Social Hub’

The typical workplace that everyone has been accustomed to has changed from the island cubicles of solitude to more social and interactive places where co-workers have a free flow of ideas to help each other and are also able to enjoy each other’s company while working. The new office, sometimes known as the “Social Office” provides an environment for colleagues to work together and also provides a more welcoming working environment where activities such as using social media are also utilised. The physical and mental health of the workers is also given priority.

Office Collaboration

Workplace collaboration makes for a more active office environment where new ideas and socialisation between co-workers are encouraged. Employees and executives agree to this with a staggering 97 per cent approval rate. Both employees and executives believe that a workplace without interaction has a dramatically negative effect on the work output. In the Social Office, working together is a must. The old style offices of isolated cubicles are replaced with more dynamic and open work areas. Unlike the traditional desk and cubicle, the open layouts of the Social Office allow communication between colleagues, even towards their more senior office colleagues.

Social Office Systems

We can look at the creation of the Social Office as a result of the different demographics of employees. The younger generation is now the biggest populace of employees. The workplace should be somewhere that they can enjoy but also focus on their work at the same time. The necessity or a more collaborative working environment is now pushing companies to provide an enjoyable workplace. Offices that have dynamic and flexible working environments gain attraction from possible employees. Earning a salary you can live with is one thing, but having a fun workplace is a top priority for future employees.

Social Media

On average, employees use around 32 per cent of their time on different social media platforms. This is why the Social Office has opted to change how we look at social media. Many companies today have created policies on allowable social media use. They are also beginning to utilise various social media platforms to increase productivity. Using networking tools has also increased workplace productivity by 30 per cent. Platforms like Facebook at work, Flock, Jive, Chatter and LinkedIn have been used for communication and more efficient office participation. Feel free to give us a call or drop by anytime, we are more than willing to answer all enquiries within 24 hours on business days.