The thought of working for the likes of Google or Pixar seems as though it would be a lot of fun, what with slides, sleeping pods and even an aquarium, thus it appears as the working environment is breaking away from being merely plain rooms full of desks; instead they’re now becoming places that entice and engage employees.
But are we expecting too much from our once simple offices? Gone are the days where all you needed was a desk and a chair, nowadays we expect an environment that not only we can work in comfortably but also relax, have fun and keep us interested. With advances in technology now meaning you’re able to work from any location you wish, be it the comfort of your own home, a cosy coffee shop or a sun lounger in Spain, the thought of commuting into the office is becoming less appealing for some.
In a bid to bring the employees back to the office, companies are pulling out all the stops to ensure they create an attractive working environment. For example the LinkedIn HQ now has an empty room on every floor, which employees are able to fill with whatever they wish. In most instances these room get filled with games and football tables however they’re seen as break away rooms and a place you’re able to unwind for half an hour. Some companies are going one step further in a bid to create a “healthy” building, maintaining the correct temperature to eliminate dust and mould meaning employees are less likely to fall ill.
As a B2B PR agency with a focus on technology it’s interesting to see how technology has had such an impact on our daily routine like going into the office. However seeing how companies are fighting back with some interest approaches, makes us want to put in a request for an arcade.
Katherine Wilding is a PR apprentice and a regular contributor to the Skout blog.