Workplace Amenities 2.0: Aligning Culture, Tech, and Employee Well-Being

Workplaces are changing into spaces where employees can have unique experiences they can’t get at home: creative collaboration, face-to-face connections, and an environment equipped with technology and amenities that enhance productivity.

 

Take Norfolk Southern, the Atlanta transportation company, for instance. They offer amenities to compete for top talent against tech giants like Google. Their office includes flexible spaces for collaboration among 3,000 employees, plus a fitness center, food hall, game room, and childcare center.

 

This shift towards workplace amenities acknowledges that virtual interactions have limits. People need physical spaces to truly thrive.

 

But wouldn’t it be nice to know what amenities actually get used by employees? What times are the amenities utilized? How many people are in the room or specific places in the room? These are questions that can now be answered with the latest technology from AVUITY.

 

How Technology Can Support Amenities

 

In the era of smart workplaces, sensors have emerged as invaluable tools for optimizing amenities and services. These tiny but powerful devices are revolutionizing how companies manage their resources and cater to their employees’ needs. 

 

From enhancing space utilization to providing personalized reporting solutions, sensors are transforming the workplace experience. 

 

Occupancy sensors can be used to optimize space utilization, ensuring that common areas like meeting rooms, lounges, and kitchens are available when needed and reducing energy consumption in unoccupied spaces.

 

In the case of a company with a corporate fitness center, AVUITY can measure how many people are using the amenity and even the specific equipment they are using in real-time.

 

 

Companies can also measure what time of the day amenities are being used. This data can be valuable for both employees – to better understand when to visit – and for employers – to better understand amenity utilization. If an amenity is popular, the company may need to add more capacity to increase employee satisfaction. If the amenity is underutilized during part of the day or certain days of the week, perhaps the company decides to repurpose the space into a meeting room during those hours, replace it with a more popular amenity, or save costs by closing it during those hours.

 

 

This concept doesn’t just apply to amenities. Companies can also use this technology to determine what time a specific conference room is being utilized, how many people are in the room, and if there are any seats available. All of this data can be compiled into customized reports that can help managers make the office environment more efficient and responsive to employee preferences.

 

The Benefits of Workplace Amenities

 

Amenities can attract and retain top talent, enhance employee satisfaction, and boost productivity. They range from fitness facilities to childcare centers and support work-life balance, physical and mental well-being, and creativity. They also contribute to a positive company culture and set businesses apart in a competitive job market. 

 

Moreover, offering amenities can save costs by reducing turnover and healthcare expenses. In today’s evolving work landscape, these perks are pivotal in adapting to changing work trends and creating appealing office environments.

 

Should you provide workplace amenities?

 

If you want to create a commute-worthy office environment, amenities deserve consideration. However, while it may be tempting to rely solely on amenities and incentives to bring employees back, it’s vital to recognize the larger goal of perks—fostering an ecosystem of engaged, motivated, and successful employees. This approach sees the workplace as an interconnected environment where everyone’s well-being and success benefit the whole.

 

With that in mind, there are two important things to remember before considering extra amenities at your company.

 

1) Amenities can’t replace the essentials

 

Employers should not confuse perks with the genuine priorities of their employees. Above all, workers value meaningful work, recognition from their managers, and competitive salaries. 

 

Secondly, benefits outweigh amenities. For example, healthcare benefits, mental health support, professional development, and flexible work arrangements (when possible) all require consideration before providing extra amenities. 

 

That said, perks can still play a role in enhancing the workplace experience when the basics are covered. If a company chooses to provide perks, the key is to identify offerings that are both optional and hold genuine significance to the employees.

 

2) Perks should align with and strengthen a company’s culture rather than contradict it.

 

When perks contradict the company’s values and messaging, it can lead to employee confusion and dissonance. Here are a few examples of how incongruent perks can be counterproductive:

 

• Providing access to a top-notch fitness center contradicts a company’s values if it encourages long working hours and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Installing a movie theater becomes a mixed message from a company that discourages employees from taking time away from their desks.
• Offering sugary snacks contradicts the stated value of prioritizing the wellness of employees. 

 

Ensuring workplace perks align with and reinforce a company’s culture is crucial for maintaining a consistent and harmonious work environment. Companies should regularly review and adapt their perks to reflect their values, communicate these offerings transparently to employees, and consider the broader impact on their organizational culture to avoid contradictions.

 

How Technology Can Support Amenities

 

In the era of smart workplaces, sensors have emerged as invaluable tools for optimizing amenities and services. These tiny but powerful devices are revolutionizing how companies manage their resources and cater to their employees’ needs. 

 

From enhancing space utilization to providing personalized access and even keeping the snack cupboard stocked, sensors are transforming the workplace experience. Here are some ingenious ways sensors are being employed to offer amenities at work, making the office environment more efficient and responsive to employee preferences.

 

Occupancy sensors can be used to optimize space utilization, ensuring that common areas like meeting rooms, lounges, and kitchens are available when needed and reducing energy consumption in unoccupied spaces. New AVUITY technology can measure how many people are using the amenity and even the specific equipment they are using.

 

Smart locks and access control systems can use sensors to grant entry to certain amenities or areas based on employee credentials or schedules. For example, sensors can let employees into fitness centers during specific hours or grant entry to specific meeting rooms for scheduled meetings.

 

Smart vending machines can track inventory levels and notify vendors when products must be restocked. This ensures that employees have access to snacks and beverages.

 

As the workplace continues to evolve, sensors are proving to be indispensable allies in the quest to provide top-notch amenities. Whether it’s optimizing space, securing access, managing inventory, or fine-tuning services, these sensors empower companies to create workplaces that are not only efficient but also deeply attuned to the desires and behaviors of their employees. 

 

By harnessing the data generated by sensors, companies can make informed decisions that enhance the overall workplace experience, ensuring that employees have access to the amenities they truly value. The future of workplace amenities is undoubtedly smarter, more personalized, and better equipped to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic workforce.

 

Best Workplace Amenities

 

The best workplace amenities will depend on your specific workforce and the company’s values, but offering a combination of these amenities can help attract and retain top talent and create a positive work environment. 

 

Fitness Facilities: On-site gyms or fitness classes promote a healthy lifestyle and help reduce stress.

 

AppDynamics provides its employees with a range of outstanding health, fitness, and wellness benefits, including a weekly running club, meditation sessions, and a yoga club.

 

Healthy Food Options: Offering nutritious food options in the office cafeteria or snack area can encourage healthy eating habits.

 

Lucid Software provides their 170 employees with two full kitchens stocked with over 100 healthy items, like hummus, avocados, and bananas.

 

Childcare Services: On-site childcare facilities or subsidies for childcare expenses can be a huge relief for working parents.

 

Patagonia operates childcare centers at its Ventura, California headquarters and its primary distribution center in Reno, Nevada.

 

Social Spaces: Creating areas for employees to relax, socialize, or play games can foster a sense of community and reduce workplace stress. 

 

Pinterest’s San Francisco headquarters offers an array of social gathering spaces, including a dining area, a coffee bar, and other spaces designed for relaxation and brainstorming sessions.

 

Nature features: Introducing plants to an office can boost productivity by 15%. 

 

Apple has taken note, setting up shop in a space surrounded by 10,000 trees.

 

Ultimately, companies must grasp the underlying reasons why people are choosing to come to the office and then tailor their work environments to support those specific activities. It’s all about defining the desired outcomes when individuals enter the workplace.

 

The best way to find out what amenities your employees want is to ask them. It’s essential to regularly gather feedback from employees to ensure that the provided perks align with their evolving needs and preferences.

 

Summary

 

In conclusion, workplace amenities are undergoing a transformation as we move beyond the pandemic era. This transformation underscores the critical importance of aligning these amenities with the core values and culture of the company. Real-world examples from companies like Norfolk Southern, Lucid Software, Patagonia, and AppDynamics illustrate how diverse amenities can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and well-being.

 

Technology, particularly sensors, plays a central role in optimizing these amenities, making workplaces smarter and more responsive to employee needs. From improving space utilization to providing personalized access and managing inventory efficiently, sensors are shaping a more tailored and enjoyable workplace experience.

 

The key takeaway is that the most effective workplace amenities suit a company’s specific workforce and align with its values. Whether it’s fitness facilities, nutritious dining options, childcare services, or spaces for social interaction, a thoughtful combination of amenities can foster a positive work environment and attract top talent.

 

To determine the right amenities, companies must actively seek employee feedback, adapting offerings to meet evolving needs while maintaining alignment with their organizational culture. As the workplace continues to evolve, amenities will be at the forefront, offering employees unique experiences that extend beyond the confines of their homes. Your workplace can become a hub of creativity, collaboration, and personal growth with the right mix of amenities tailored to your unique work culture.