The Future of Commercial Workspaces in Columbia, MO Post-Pandemic

Employees & Employers Have Different Expectations for In-Office Work. Learn How to Adapt at Your Columbia, MO Office

The world changed in 2020. Not only did remote work become a reality for millions, but empty office buildings littered big cities and small communities, sitting vacant while we tried to flatten the curve. After several months of isolation, or just weeks in some cases, employers began encouraging their teams to return to the office. However, not everyone was eager to go back. Remote work, or work from home, became the new normal for millions of Americans, and many of them became accustomed to their more relaxed and often productive lifestyle. With employees pushing back against return-to-office policies and many reports finding a hybrid work model was the new preferred method, employers struggled with what to do with their existing commercial leases. 

Every company is different, which means the work model that suits your team will always be different. However, one universal truth of commercial workspaces remains post-pandemic: meeting your employees’ needs fairly is essential to team happiness and retaining talent. Forcing your team into the office full-time can generate resentment and even cause people to resign. Fully remote work isn’t a perfect solution for everyone, either.

Discover what the future of commercial workspaces has in store for your Columbia, MO business. Lindner Properties is breaking down employee preferences, how to avoid push-back, and how to style your office to please everyone.

How have employee expectations changed since 2020 & what can you do to increase employee satisfaction in Columbia, MO? 

The COVID-19 Pandemic introduced a new model of working for millions of Americans. Before 2020, remote workers made up just 8% of the workforce. At the peak of the pandemic in May 2020, 70% of employees were working exclusively from home. As of 2023, 29% of workers were still working entirely remotely, while only 20% returned to full-time in-office employment. The return to in-office work has been highly contested by employees and heavily encouraged by employers. In fact, when managers began to implement mandatory in-office days, or full-time returns to the office, many employees resisted by continuing to work from home, working fewer days in-office than required, and even quitting altogether. If their current employer wasn’t willing to continue with remote work, employees sought out new opportunities that better suited their changed preferences. 

With an emboldened workforce and a growing digital career marketplace, how can a business navigate their employees’ desires and their businesses’ needs? Hybrid work models may be the answer. 

Hybrid work has proven to be a good compromise for employees & employers in Columbia, MO

Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic change the world, but it also changed how people view satisfaction in their employment. Flexible work environments became paramount for employees to feel safe and happy in the office. By designing custom solutions for your team, you give them the power to independently manage their projects, connect with their coworkers, and find a happy balance of independence at home and respect for your company values.

To better understand what your employees want, talk to them! Ask what worked for them while working from home, what they like about working in the office, and how many days they would like to be in the office and at home. Make your expectations for in-office days clear by giving each employee a select number of days they must be in the office. When you make clear expectations designed around a model your employees want, you make it easier to retain talent and keep everyone happy. Forced full-time in-office models have faced a lot of backlash for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike, so being adaptable and open to your employees' preferences is essential.

How can you incorporate a hybrid work model in a way that works for your team? Lindner Properties is sharing our top tips for working in a hybrid work model in Columbia, MO.

Private offices aren’t just preferred by workers. They keep your Columbia, MO employees healthier

Before 2020, large, open workspaces with desks and cubicles were popular. Not only were they economical for businesses with a large workforce, but they also felt trendy and fresh after decades of private offices and closed doors. No matter how open and collaborative these open floor plans felt, many employees reported feeling unproductive and more like cattle in a pen than humans at the office. Open offices also presented a problem for the spread of viruses. With poor ventilation and no protection from a stray sneeze, colds were more common, meaning employees spent more time away on sick leave. With this in mind, it’s nearly impossible to comprehend a return to open workspaces after the pandemic. This is why many businesses are making a return to private offices.

A private office with good ventilation, a window, and enough room to spread out allows your team members to feel a sense of ownership over their space. They can take calls easily without having to move around a large, open space, their ability to personalize the design of their environment can increase happiness, and their equipment will be better protected when locked up at night.

A private office is also a better solution if your team is on a rotating in-office model. If you have some employees who come in on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and work from home on Thursdays and Fridays, and other team members who are in-office on different days, they can freely share a private office without crowding each other. Larger offices are also great for those days when everyone is in the office for all-hands meetings and events. Giving your team the privacy they deserve can increase their productivity and prevent more sick days from being taken.

Speaking of sick days, a hybrid model of work can seriously impact your employee wellness. If someone feels sick and they have the option to work remotely, you won’t have to sacrifice productivity to prevent the spread of cold and flu around the office. They can work if they feel well enough, and you can sow confidence in your other employees because they know you respect their health and wellness.

Set your company up for success when you embrace modern tech & upgraded offices in Columbia, MO

We all became very familiar with platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Slack in 2020. Between video conferencing, chat platforms, file sharing, and productivity management software, how we use technology to work has changed dramatically. Even early adopters who embraced systems like these before the pandemic were introduced to new features and growth options for already existing systems. To keep up with all that change, companies have had to upgrade their devices, enhance their internet, and train employees in the ever-changing tech sphere.

When thinking about the future of your company in Columbia, MO, it’s important to consider the tech load you’ll be bringing into your new or existing office. You’ll need access to high-speed internet options, plenty of hookups for computers, printers, and phones, and flexible spaces for employees who bring their laptops between home and the office. Keeping up with changing tech may feel like a challenge, but in the right office, you won’t have to worry about constant physical upgrades to the space.

Find a Flexible Office Space for Rent in Columbia, MO With the Commercial Real Estate Experts at Lindner Properties

So now you know what employees expect from employers, what type of work model is best for team satisfaction, and features you can implement in your office in Columbia, MO. But how do you find that perfect location for your business operations? Let Lindner Properties help! We have a large portfolio of well-maintained and flexible office spaces for lease. You can completely customize your space to suit your needs, including installing private offices, wiring the property for your high-end tech, and providing flexible workspaces for hybrid employees who aren’t in the office every day.

Put your commercial property search in our capable hands. We’ll listen to your needs and walk you through the properties that best suit your business. We can help you imagine what a remodel may look like and what renovation options put you in a new office faster.

Signing a lease with Lindner Properties opens you up to flexible leasing terms and a supportive affiliate property management team dedicated to your success. They'll manage the general upkeep while you focus on running your business and keeping your employees feeling happy and comfortable.

To start your search for a new office for rent in Columbia, MO, contact Lindner Properties today! We make modern offices attractive and adaptable for the modern workforce.