Why working from home is winning over your employees—and what you can do about it

90% of organizations plan to bring their employees back onsite by January 2025. The problem? Many don’t want to return. Employees have had years to find their ideal workspaces, whether that’s a coffee shop down the street, an outdoor space with free Wi-Fi, or their hyper-tailored home setup. 

But bringing employees back onsite, even part-time, is essential for business success. Data shows that in-person work boosts team collaboration and drives productivity to strengthen company culture. To make the office the preferred workspace, companies need to offer experiences and amenities employees can’t find anywhere else. In this post, we’ll dive into four key questions to help you assess if your workplace stands out—and the steps you can take to make it the top choice for your team.

Why have companies struggled to entice employees back onsite?

Before we dive into how to make your space more inviting, let’s explore why employees have resisted returning to the office. After years of perfecting their home setups—or finding ideal remote work spots—some employees see the office as a step down in comfort and control. When they do come in, it’s often for visibility rather than productivity or connection. This raises a critical question: if onsite work doesn’t offer clear advantages, why mandate it? The answer is, it does.

The problem, according to Gallup, is that many companies lack a strong “workplace value proposition.” This value proposition is the “why” behind coming to the office—the culture, perks, and experiences that make working onsite worthwhile. A strong workplace value proposition emphasizes the unique benefits of in-person work. Without these draws, it’s no wonder companies struggle to compete with other workspaces. And without making key changes, this struggle will only get worse. 

But it’s not all doom and gloom. By asking the right questions, you can find opportunities to strengthen your workplace value proposition and create a space folks genuinely want to return to.

1. Is your space optimized for functionality and comfort?

Spaces that balance functionality and comfort encourage creativity, connection, and—importantly—presence. Functional design provides the tools and structure employees need to be productive, while comfort allows them to feel at ease. Balance the two by providing a variety of space types to support different kinds of work and activities, and keep in mind that employees spend their time doing a mix of activities: 

• 41% working alone 
• 42% working with others 
• 8% learning 
• 9% socializing 

Consider adding ergonomic furniture, adjustable lighting, and personalized temperature controls. Provide dedicated areas for social interaction, quiet, heads-down work, team meetings, and casual gatherings. This will help employees feel supported and at ease while getting their best work done.

2. Do your amenities truly exceed employee expectations?

To make the workplace a destination worth commuting to, offer amenities that go above and beyond. Think gourmet coffee bars, wellness rooms, and collaborative workspaces with whiteboards and A/V equipment. These extras make the workday more enjoyable while also supporting productivity and creativity. Need some inspiration? Check out the award-winning designs of these workspaces.

3. Is your space integrated to support a smooth onsite experience?

A well-integrated workplace makes the onsite experience seamless and efficient. Nothing is more frustrating than commuting into an office and having to use multiple tools to check in and find space to work. By integrating tools such as room and desk booking systems, Wi-Fi check-in, and delivery management, you can streamline these processes and reduce unnecessary friction for employees. 

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4. How quickly does your team adapt the space to changing needs?

A dynamic workplace that can adapt quickly to changing needs offers flexibility that home offices and other workspaces simply can’t match. Some days, this might look like quickly fixing a broken coffee machine, and others might involve reconfiguring rooms to support a larger team meeting. By staying responsive, you can create a dynamic environment that feels fresh and supportive.

To ensure the space stays effective, regularly assess how it works for your team. Tools like employee surveys and occupancy data provide valuable insights into what’s working and where improvements are needed. Unfiltered employee feedback will help your team make timely adjustments that keep the office relevant, comfortable, and appealing to keep them coming back.

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Make the office exceptional, and employees will want to be there. But this won’t happen haphazardly. It takes thoughtful planning, continuous adaptation, and a commitment to meeting employees’ evolving needs. Want to learn more? Check out our mini-series, Mastering workplace design.