What Should I Consider for my Future Lease?

# What Should I Consider for My Future Lease?

The pandemic fundamentally shifted how we think about workspace, but the physical office isn't disappearing anytime soon. Industry leaders from our Second Safest Workplace webinar series shared insights on how work-from-home trends are reshaping lease requirements and workplace design strategies.

## The Office Isn't Obsolete—It's Evolving

While many employees have adapted to remote work, data shows the majority want to return to the office. However, it won't be business as usual. Companies are rethinking their real estate strategies, distributing workforces across satellite locations to reduce density at centralized headquarters.

The primary office is evolving into a collaboration hub and cultural epicenter. Employees will be more intentional about when and why they come to work, focusing on activities that benefit from in-person interaction.

## The Hidden Costs of Remote Work

A common misconception is that people are universally more productive at home. While individual task work may increase, collaboration and creativity often suffer. **Work is fundamentally social**, and the longer employees remain physically disconnected from their organization, the greater the risk of decreased engagement and higher turnover.

This challenge is particularly acute for Gen Z employees, who report feeling disenfranchised without in-person culture, mentorship opportunities, and relationship-building during formative career years.

## Practical Solutions for Returning to the Office

Organizations have several options to manage density while bringing employees back:

### Short-term Solutions - **Shift scheduling** to stagger employee presence - **Workstation reconfiguration** to create collaborative areas in open spaces - **Enhanced reservation systems** for rooms and workstations - **Repurposing nearby retail spaces** as satellite conferencing hubs

### Long-term Considerations For companies staying in high-rise buildings, focus areas include: - Touchless technology implementation - Improved air circulation and filtration systems - Enhanced sanitization protocols - Density control measures

## The Growing Appeal of Warehouse Spaces

For the past two decades, there's been increasing interest in ground-level warehouse spaces with high ceilings and outdoor access. Current circumstances have accelerated this trend, particularly among creative industries seeking indoor-outdoor campus environments.

Even high-rise tenants are exploring outdoor space options. Landlords may be more receptive to requests for carved-out outdoor areas on existing floors, given current market conditions.

## Moving Forward with Intention

What once existed as an occasional remote work amenity has become the new normal for many. While some organizations prefer to wait and see, others are taking decisive action to establish their post-pandemic workspace strategy.

**The key is employee feedback.** Regular surveys and check-ins help organizations understand their workforce's needs and guide decisions that support physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

The future workplace will be more flexible, intentional, and human-centered than ever before. Success lies in balancing the productivity benefits of remote work with the irreplaceable value of in-person collaboration and connection.