Workplace design has undergone a dramatic shift over the last couple of years.  And, while the pandemic might be fading from our respective social conscious, its impact on the workplace isn’t going anywhere.

Remote positions weren’t unheard of prior to 2020, it’s true, but the pandemic normalized working from home like little else could. A 2022 survey conducted by JLL on the Future of Work yielded results that key decision makers would be wise to consider as they look to lead their businesses and organizations into the future.

By 2025, it is predicted that 53% of organizations will make remote working permanently available to all employees. A further 77% of employers agree that offering remote or hybrid work is a vital ingredient to attracting and keeping key talent.

However, working remotely is not the only consideration facing employers these days. Employees increasingly consider collaborative working to be among the primary principles of the physical office space. This has resulted in employers shifting to a focus on how to cultivate a positive workplace environment that promotes productivity while also placing value on the wellness of the team.

The Role Natural Light Plays in the Workplace

One of the takeaways from the pandemic experience has been a greater emphasis on health and wellness among employees. This is not a new conclusion—we’ve known for a while now that access to natural light has a positive impact on productivity, mental health, and wellness, and a lack thereof can result in gloomy or tired employees.

Office daylighting, in fact, reduces incidents of eyestrain, headaches, and drowsiness. When employees feel better, they work better, and produce better results.

This is where glass comes in, but its roles are many and multifaceted.

Interior Glass Promotes a Healthy Work Environment

As already noted, the purpose of a physical work office has been reimagined as primarily for collaboration. It’s no surprise, then, that the demand for open spaces is on the rise. A whopping 73% of those who responded to the Future of Work survey indicated that open, collaborative spaces are either planned or already in place.

Enter interior glass walls, doors, and partitions. This allows employers to capture the feel of an open space concept, capitalize on the benefits of natural light while still allowing for privacy or social distancing when the need arises. These glass applications can likewise infuse color and character into the workplace design with a variety of prints and colors available to satisfy multi-functional needs.

In fact, with GGI’s Direct-to-Glass printing, glass doors and glass partitions can take on the look and feel of a multitude of material, but without sacrificing the daylighting so essential in today’s workspace. Movable glass walls transform stagnant workspaces into flexible designs to nurture the culture of collaboration while not sacrificing privacy when it is needed.

Create Collaborative Workspaces

With collaboration being such a strong focal point for businesses moving forward, the way space itself is utilized can be redefined. Enter GGI’s Max™ Glassboards, which transforms whole walls into a functional workspace.

Completely customizable, these boards are available in standard or custom colors, can be printed with corporate logos, line art, grids, patterns, or other designs, and are available magnetic and non-magnetic, single or dual-sided. They are a terrific way to make the most of available space while fostering collaboration.

The Workplace, Elevated

Everyone wants to work in a Class A office building. The creative use of glass wall cladding, partitions, walls, and doors, particularly when paired with the sweeping range of customization options, can elevate and modernize a company’s physical space. From adaptive reuse design to full-scale renovations, the implementation of glass can infuse employees with new energy when they are in the office itself.

The workplace landscape has changed a lot over the last couple of years, so much we might not understand the full impact of the shift for years to come. The steps employers and key decision makers take now will impact the long-term retention of employees who have come through the pandemic with new expectations to match their professional and personal goals. Glass can play a subtle but significant role in how employees view their physical workspace.

How can we assist in making your next workplace design successful for the long-term? Contact us for support at designassist@generalglass.com.