Background
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Covestro and other companies and nonprofit organizations have moved to some sort of flexible work schedule for their employees. This has led to unused or underused offices and building, costing organizations money and resulting in lost organizational connection and work place culture opportunities. Effectively utilizing office/workspaces is important to maximize efficiency, which helps an organization reduce costs and improve productivity.
Many factors contribute to achieving proper office space utilization, most importantly space planning and asset management. What are the building usage patterns and how are physical resources being used and stored over time? Looking at these types of questions will impact how companies use their office spaces. It is no longer necessary for each employee to have a dedicated desk or workspace every single day.
The Challenge
In response to the evolving landscape of workplace dynamics catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Covestro acknowledges the imperative need to adapt its office spaces to align with the workplace of tomorrow. The challenge at hand involves redefining the physical work environment to foster spontaneous engagement and in-person collaboration, making the worksite of the future not only operationally efficient but also attractive to current and future employees.
Covestro's Questions to You
As Covestro undertakes the reconfiguration of its Pittsburgh campus, the key issues to address revolve around the following:
1. Creating Dynamic Spaces for Engagement and Productivity: How can Covestro design office spaces that facilitate spontaneous engagement and encourage in-person collaboration, while allowing for a transition to shared workspaces and hybrid in-person/offsite work models?
2. Attractiveness to Employees: What elements should be incorporated into the worksite of the future to make it appealing to current and future employees? This involves not only the physical design but also the amenities and features that promote employee health and well-being while supporting employees' sense of contentment and engagement.
3. Anticipating Future Workplace Expectations: What are the expectations of the future workforce regarding office and workplace design? Understanding and aligning with these expectations are crucial for Covestro to stay ahead in attracting and retaining top talent.
4. Employee Buy-In to Return-to-Office: In the transition towards a more modernized and consolidated office space, how can Covestro ensure employee buy-in to a return-to-office model? This involves addressing concerns, communicating benefits, and creating an environment that employees are eager to be a part of.
We Need Your Help!
As a team participating in Solve-It!, your task is to advise Covestro on how to approach these multifaceted challenges as it navigates the transformation of its Pittsburgh campus, emphasizing the need to not only optimize operational costs, drive productivity and building efficiency but also to cater to the evolving needs and expectations of the future workforce.
What does the Covestro office of the future look like to you?