Let’s do lunch: Bosses offering free lunches, after work drinks, social activities to make the office an ‘experience’ worth returning for

Free lunches, after work drinks and social activities are among some of the perks companies are exploring to help lure workers back to the office.

Offices spaces are being re-imagined as bosses attempt to lure workers back to business premises which remain up to 80 per cent empty at any one time, according to a global workplace expert.

Free lunches, after work drinks and social activities are being offered to workers who return to the office, says design director at commercial interior design firm Unispace, Simon Pole.

Mr Pole said some employers were even putting on concierge-style hosts to facilitate events and create work “experiences” post COVID.

“What I am hearing is that a lot of people are wanting to make sure the office is an ‘experience’ … it has got to be (a place) worthwhile coming into,” he said.

“The focus is on getting people back, as it is in the office the culture is created and bonds formed – this is especially important for staff who are new to the business.

“Executives and leadership teams see that a lot of their employees do their best work when they are together, sharing information … spontaneity, idea generation and innovation naturally happens when we are face-to-face.

“Employees, too, realise there is only so much you can get done from home (they miss) those corridor-type conversations.”

Unispace's Simon Pole tips workers and employers will adopt a hybrid approach to work post COVID, with some days in the office and some at home. Picture Supplied

However, Mr Pole said there was recognition some aspects of work were more suited to the home office environment while not everyone had a suitable place to work at home.

“So it is about getting the blend and the mix right of the type of ‘head down’ work an employee does at home while driving innovation and collaboration in the shared space – and creating office spaces to encourage this,” he said.

Mr Pole said his Melbourne-based company had worked with a US analytics company to create a predictive tool aimed at forecasting the office headcount moving forward.

“(It shows us that) at any given time in future, a workpoint could remain unoccupied 60 to 80 per cent of the time (and predicts) 40 per cent of workers will work from home for up to three days in 2021,” he said.

“The trend we are seeing is that Wednesdays and Thursdays have the highest occupancy in the office while Mondays and Fridays have the least.”

The Property Council of Australia’s SA executive director Daniel Gannon is one who supports any initiatives to entice people back into the office.

“Many businesses are adopting innovative policies and putting in place unique workplaces practices to encourage more workers to return to the office,” he said.

“For every worker that returns to their office, that is more business for CBD cafes, restaurants, retail outlets and other service providers … we are now at a critical juncture for our CBD economy.”

Mr Gannon said council research found 68 per cent of workers had returned to commercial office buildings in Adelaide’s CBD last month, up from 56 per cent in August.

The national average sits at 61 per cent, he said.

How to keep the holiday vibe alive

The holiday season – for those lucky enough to get time off – is all but over and it’s time to head back to work for 2021.

But how do you muster up the positivity needed to put your best foot forward amid the continuing uncertainty created by COVID?

Adelaide-based organisational psychologist, Hayley Lokan, says setting realistic goals is key.

“It’s always a good idea to set yourself some goals or things you would like to achieve for the year but don’t feel the needto push yourself too hard – 2020 was a huge year and it’s perfectly OK to allow yourself the time this year to regroup, refreshand refocus,” she said.

“There was such a sense of relief when we reached the end of 2020 however I don’t know that much will substantially changethis year, given that the pandemic is still very much a part of our current reality.

“We are likely to continue have small clusters throughout the year, we are likely to have more border closures, we are likelyto have travel plans cancelled or postponed at minimal notice.

“(But) focusing on the aspects outside our control will only create anxiety and frustration.”

Ms Lokan says the start of a new year is a good time to reassess priorities.

“For people who have lost their motivation or drive for their work, I think it’s important to reflect on why this has occurred,” she said.

“Is it the nature of the work itself that you no longer enjoy? Have you found that you would prefer different working hours?Have you found you are no longer enjoy working with your team members?

“Perhaps it’s a good time to move organisations or make a whole change of career … or perhaps there other activities outsideof work to satisfy your interests in a particular area, if this cannot be satisfied by your job. “

Ms Lokan says taking time to be grateful is beneficial, too.

“Research has shown us that practising gratitude can have a significant and positive impact on our mental state due to therelease of dopamine and serotonin,” she said.

“So it’s a good habit to form – what went well at work, what did our kids enjoy at school, what we are grateful for at thatmoment?”

Rachael Potter, from UniSA’s Centre for Workplace Excellence, suggests adding self-compassion and self-care into the mix.

“While there is a lot of optimism and hope for 2021, there is fatigue setting in (from the pandemic),” Dr Potter, a researchassociate, said.

“It is natural people are going to be rethinking everything, their workplace, their perspective on things, COVID has reallyshaken up everything but this is the time to show self-compassion and maybe readjust your expectations and goals.

“We have to make sure to exercise well, eat well, keep a routine going (and) also keep things in perspective and find somebalance in our lives.”

Dr Potter says engaging with others is vital.

“The biggest buffer against strain and stress is social support, so try and keep a social network around you, keep engagingwith other people,” she said.

“Think about the meaning your work provides you, build up morale with those around you and develop a shared view of what worksmeans to your team.”

And her tips for keeping the holiday vibe alive?

“Just try to stay in the present, try to be mindful and take each day as it comes and try not to get too stressed and be gratefulwe live where we do,” she said. - by Rebecca Baker.