Office Trends to Look Out for in 2019

In recent years, the workplace has witnessed dramatic changes, reflecting developments in the way we work. More companies are opting for open office designs and are encouraging employees to personalize their workspaces. Frazer Butcher, Humanscale’s MENA Managing Director, predicts main office trends we can expect to see in 2019:

Better breakout spaces

In an effort to buck the trend towards shorter employee life cycles, companies should prepare for a new generation of workers and an increasingly mobile workforce. The office should be a pleasant space that motivates and encourages employees, making the job more enjoyable and helping to boost morale. To this end, offices are incorporating more breakout spaces to give employees a chance to take a breather and return to their work refreshed. Breakout areas featuring bright, stimulating colors and exciting design features will be more common this year, with organizations embracing the
examples set by tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, by creating lounges and even games rooms for their staff to improve employee satisfaction and well-being.

Healthier Workplaces

There is no let-up in the move towards more health-focused workplaces and active office furniture. While no longer new, sit-stand furniture continues to increase in popularity because it encourages greater levels of activity, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity as well as musculoskeletal problems, such as back and neck pain. Adjustable desks allow employees to change the height of their desks in seconds, so they can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. This increased movement can boost mood and productivity, reducing the adverse effects of sedentary behavior.

More Multi-functional Workspaces and Furniture

In addition to the increased popularity of hot desking, companies will look to cut down the space each employee requires while at the office, minimizing the space required. As a result, there will be an increasing demand for spaces and furniture that can adapt to different needs in the office, creating more flexible workspaces. The same trend will be seen in the furniture itself, with an increased demand for multi-purpose pieces, such as sofa pods with built-in tables and conference tables that can also be used as bench desking.

Home Offices

As more employees enjoy the benefits of flexible hours and remote working, home is becoming the new workplace for many. According to a 2018 study by International Workplace Group, 60 percent of UAE employees work remotely at least one day each week. To facilitate this shift, employees are seeking out shared spaces to work in or utilizing home offices.

About Humanscale

Humanscale is the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products that improve the health and comfort of work life. For more information,
visit: www.humanscale.com