The Future Experience of Work

A conversation with Bertie Van Wyk, Workplace Specialist, Herman Miller

Posted by [Pauline Roussel] on Friday, August 14, 2020
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In this video, Bertie Van Wyk discusses the future experience of work, with a focus on the importance of workplace wellness and the trend of employees working remotely.

Herman Miller has been studying the future of work since 2001 and made a projection in 2006 called “Grounded” that predicted the impact of events such as pandemics and fluctuating oil prices. The study brought to light three key points that will shape the future of work in the next 5-7 years: 

  • communities, not companies; 
  • machines work for us and we want control; 
  • and coworking. 

Communities, not companies; 

Workers seek organizations committed to people and purpose, and highlighting the importance of diversity and equity, culture and community in the workplace. 

Bertie praised coworking spaces for their focus on community, diversity, and the role of community managers in fostering a positive environment. He also emphasized the importance of first impressions and the need to create an amazing experience for people visiting a workspace. Lastly, in this section of the video, he noted the shift towards new spaces in the future, emphasizing the importance of movement and creating spaces that promote collaboration and creativity.

According to Herman Miller, high-quality connections and friendships formed in the workplace can improve engagement, resilience, teamwork, and physical and mental health. They suggest that organizations that prioritize growth and well-being will develop the workers who shape the future. This means providing flexibility, on-the-spot training, and adaptable spaces that can accommodate AI and automation. 

The future workplace will be a place where people choose to go to connect with others, and the design of these spaces should prioritize building a community.

Bertie then wrapped up this first part of his talk by discussing the importance of creating a main space that everyone loves to go to, even in large buildings, in order to build better connections and a bigger community.

The importance of user experience, workplace agility, and comfort in the design of future workspaces.

Bertie then moved on to highlight examples of companies that have implemented technology to improve employee satisfaction and talent acquisition, emphasizing the need for variety in workspaces to increase productivity, satisfaction, and a sense of community. The article concludes by mentioning the role of coworking organizations in helping companies adapt to the virtual world.

Managing remote teams. 

How to effectively manage remote teams in order to create a productive and healthy work environment? Bertie suggested using tools such as Microsoft Teams or Google Docs to work more efficiently, and emphasizes the need to educate and train team members on best practices for remote work. 

He also highlights the risk of burnout and the importance of self-care, encouraging the use of natural light, proper posture, and regular breaks. Continuing on the topic, Bertie suggests that coworking communities can stay connected through social virtual coffees and by sharing insights and best practices. Additionally, he notes the need to evaluate performance based on output rather than physical presence in an office.

Moving on, Bertie emphasizes the importance of ergonomics and self-care, especially for those who work from home, and provided a six-point plan for working from home, which includes dedicating a work time, checking one’s tech, and committing to one’s health.

Building safe work environments.

Speaking of health, and in the midst of the pandemic, Bertie emphasizes the importance of following government advice and creating a “safety bundle” that includes rules, guidelines, culture, and space design to ensure a healthier and safer work environment. He suggests increasing hygiene, reducing density, limiting in-person interaction, and adapting meeting rooms. Bertie advises against creating negative associations with distancing rules and encourages using positive language. Additionally, he mentions the need for increased bicycle capacity as companies may choose coworking spaces to avoid public transportation.

Physical Distancing vs. Social Distancing

As a wrap-up, Bertie discusses using physical distancing rather than social distancing.

“ We are talking about physical distancing here, it’s not social distancing. We do not want to decrease our social interaction. It’s a physical distance we want to keep, but we still want a social interaction with others. Let’s be mindful of the terms we use.”