First published on COMUNiTI, September 2024

Making the office better than home

Commentary on return-to-office mandates certainly heated up in recent weeks following the NSW Premier’s directive for employees across the public service to work principally from an approved workplace. While this mandate appears to be less about concerns relating to employee productivity and more to do with the reactivation and revitalisation of the city centres [a whole other conversation!], employee reactions to mandates remain unchanged.


While some organisations are mandating employees return to the office, others are exploring a motivation-based approach, with the state of their workplace being a key consideration.

And, it’s an important strategy.

The average workplace experience, as measured through the Leesman Index score (Lmi) has increased by nearly four points from 64.3 pre-pandemic to 67.9 post-pandemic. Organisations are clearly investing in workplace improvements to make the...

First published on COMUNiTI, August 2024

How workplace strategy helps teams 'live the values'

Is your workplace helping or hindering company culture?

When I engage with new clients, I am quickly curious about their company values. Whether they are written in a strategy document, printed and hung on the walls, or just shared as a general feeling of what's important - it's crucial to for us understand whether the physical workspace drives values-aligned behaviours. 

So often we find that the office layout and design is really misaligned.

What do I mean?

When creating a new workplace we can influence people to act in a way that aligns with the organisation’s desired outcomes. I do this by introducing different types of work spaces and zoning areas to consolidate similar types of activities and environmental cues like texture and colour. This thinking is based on nudge theory, which is a behavioural science  concept that proposes we can...

Budget-friendly ideas to start your workplace transformation

First published on COMUNiTI, April 2024

Struggling to figure out how to improve your workspace with limited funds?

I understand the challenge of upgrading existing spaces on a tight budget. In my line of work, I’m often met with this remark: “...but I don’t have a million dollars to redesign the space!” 

Fear not! 

Here are some creative and budget-friendly ideas to kickstart your workplace transformation. 

 OPTIMISE THE BASICS

• Never underestimate the power of a good de-clutter and clean! Clear unnecessary items from filing cabinets, shelves and corridors, organise storage spaces and streamline work areas. You’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ll feel like you’ve gained. Engage employees by turning the cleanup into a team activity or competition.
• Feel like a Meerkat every time you poke your head over a high partition? Consider removing bulky...

What’s the right solution for you?

First published on COMUNiTI, March 2024

As a workplace strategist I often get asked: "What's the best flexible work option: hot-desking, activity-based work or hybrid work?"

The answer isn't straightforward, and what I have learned is that people tend to use the terms interchangeably when they are all very different things.

Hot-desking:

Hot-desking became popular in the early 2000s when laptops and wireless connectivity meant employees didn’t have to work from a fixed desk.

My verdict:

I am not a fan of hot-desking. No matter how it might be ‘sold’ to employees, hot-desking is really about cramming more people into less space without any added amenities.

Activity-based work (ABW):

ABW and hot-desking often get confused, but they are not the same thing. ABW has surged in popularity in recent years as hand-held devices and cloud-based apps enabled even more work flexibility. Technology aside, ABW is also being...