In our line of work, we hear all of the arguments for and against the open office plan. That's why we don't push for open offices. Instead, we tell our customers to provide choice and flexibility. This means listening to your employees and providing settings and spaces that are right for them. Every office is different, and should be designed based on how we as individuals work. That said, providing choice and flexibility can - and most likely will - result in a mixture of private and open settings.  But, how do you truly make your employees feel happy about their environment? And, what is their biggest complaint?

63 million individuals volunteer annually in the United States, totaling more than 8.7 billion hours of time. We’re proud to give back to the communities we serve, not just with money and resources, but also talent and time. We surveyed several of our associates to find out why giving back is important to them.

Millennials and Gen Z are the two youngest generations in the workforce. With the oldest Gen Zers beginning to join Millennials in the workplace, it’s important to acknowledge the working styles of each group, what’s important to them in a working environment, and what kind of work culture will get them to stay.

More and more, organizations are beginning to realize the importance of workplace design and how it can impact their bottom line, both in terms of revenue and in keeping great talent.

We recently brought together some of our designers along with a member of our human resources team. We wanted to know how the two disciplines can work together to tackle the rising problem of associate attraction and retention. How does design play a role in the associate experience? What are some examples of design elements that help to attract, and keep, talent? Does the environment affect culture? If so, how? It was these probing questions that led to a thoughtful discussion on a timely topic that continues to challenge.

I’m currently reading a book entitled, “The ONE Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, which talks about identifying and implementing one thing that in turn makes everything else easier. As a HR professional, I immediately began to think about what this one thing could be from a company’s standpoint. To me, it’s pretty clear that if the associate experience you provide to your employees is a positive one, everything else comes much, much easier, whether that translates to sales, happy customers, or any number of things. In particular, I believe there are three areas where the associate experience is especially important.

We have four pillars here at Continental Office that symbolize what we stand for as a company. They are associate experience, client experience, one team, and community and environment. These four pillars together tell our story. Allow me to explain.

When it comes to what matters most to us, our associates round out the top of the list! We recently surveyed our 200+ associates across all of our locations to find out what matters most to them during the holiday season, and to see what their plans are for the coming year.

When it comes to organizational growth and change, it can be both an exciting and a taxing time for employees. Whether it's adding additional people to your staff or moving to a new workspace, it can disrupt routines and heighten sensitivity at a time when many crave stability most.