As society redefines what the modern office is like –– supplying furniture solutions that provide value is more important than ever. The demand for hybrid workplaces is steadily increasing post-pandemic, with office workers saying they need 63% of their work week to be on-site with colleagues. One of the primary reasons for in-office time is providing a physical workplace helps foster feelings of community and promotes collaboration. Employees in high-preforming workplaces report having access to a wide range of spaces where they can converse, chill out, create, and concentrate.
Office pods, work pods, and seating pods are all names for the same innovative commercial furniture product that integrates seating, tables, and walls. Office pods have a slew of benefits that enhance employee productivity and retention. The biggest perk of office pods is they create a third place within the office ecosystem where employees can eat, work, collaborate, or conduct meetings. Office pods can be customized with features like power outlets, USB ports, TVs, writable wallpaper, integrated shelves, or even preserved plant walls. They come in all shapes and sizes and can host up to 10 people. Privacy levels of office pods can vary as well, pods can be designed with just upholstered walls and no ceiling or they can be completely enclosed with doors.
Here are four ways that office pods can be used in the workplace:
1. Office pods as places to converse
Office pods offer a solution to the challenges posed by open office floorplans by providing designated areas for private meetings. By specifying office pods with privacy panels or walls, an acoustical barrier is created, aiding in fostering focused conversations. Notoriously distracting, open office floor plans are filled with communal spaces that generate both auditory and visual stimuli, which can easily divert the attention of meeting participants in nearby conference rooms.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into meeting spaces:
Relaxing at work may sound counterintuitive, however, studies show that providing spaces in the office to decompress is beneficial to the long-term success of knowledge workers. Studies indicate that stress contributes to 60% of workplace absenteeism. Employee burnout is common, and offering places within the office where workers can nap, read, lounge, or meditate will improve productivity. Tech-free zones are becoming increasingly popular as they encourage employees to drop their phones and problems at the door and focus inward. In the evolving hybrid workplace model, libraries and reading nooks are recommended for moments of quiet reflection. Specifying office pods with wrapping walls can create a place away from all the chaos where employees can clear their heads. Pods serve as secluded areas for office workers to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into relaxation zones:
According to a study by Gensler, 43% of people rank team building and collaboration as the most important attributes of a great workplace. Workplaces can encourage teamwork by adding maker spaces, innovation hubs, and team rooms to their office floor plans. Innovation hubs are collaborative spaces that foster the cross-pollination of ideas by providing access to resources, like cutting-edge tools and continued learning experiences. Placing office pods in these spaces will allow employees to have a destination for brainstorming or group work. Office pods can have upholstered outsides, like our Helix Pod so that team members can pin inspiration or concept photos to the fabric. You can even specify laminate that is similar to a dry-erase board, so employees can draw or make notes on the table of the office pod or use its’ outside back as a massive dry-erase board. Our Alistair Pod would be the ideal pod for this type of writable surface.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into creative spaces:
Another major reason employees want to return to the office is to escape the distractions of their home life. In a workplace study conducted by Gensler, they found that high-performing workplaces are 2.5X more likely to have spaces for focused concentration. Office pods are a smart option for creating private, distraction-free areas for employees to complete tasks. Pods with upholstered walls shield individuals from ambient noise and visual distractions. They also create individual workspaces for neurodivergent employees who may need seclusion to concentrate.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into individual workspaces:
Install adjustable lighting to make an office pod adaptable for each person
Transforming offices to be highly collaborative spaces that offer a variety of locales for workers to choose from can create a sense of autonomy and make the workplace more productive. The integration of office pods emerges as a transformative solution. These versatile products, whether referred to as office pods, work pods, or seating pods, bring a host of benefits to the table, enhancing employee retention. Offering a unique third place within the office ecosystem, office pods cater to diverse needs, from casual interactions to focused work sessions or group meetings. Embracing a variety of shapes, sizes, and privacy levels, office pods stand as a testament to the adaptability and ingenuity essential in creating workspaces that inspire creativity, collaboration, concentration, and overall well-being.
4 Uses for Office Pods in the Workplace
As society redefines what the modern office is like –– supplying furniture solutions that provide value is more important than ever. The demand for hybrid workplaces is steadily increasing post-pandemic, with office workers saying they need 63% of their work week to be on-site with colleagues. One of the primary reasons for in-office time is providing a physical workplace helps foster feelings of community and promotes collaboration. Employees in high-preforming workplaces report having access to a wide range of spaces where they can converse, chill out, create, and concentrate.
Office pods, work pods, and seating pods are all names for the same innovative commercial furniture product that integrates seating, tables, and walls. Office pods have a slew of benefits that enhance employee productivity and retention. The biggest perk of office pods is they create a third place within the office ecosystem where employees can eat, work, collaborate, or conduct meetings. Office pods can be customized with features like power outlets, USB ports, TVs, writable wallpaper, integrated shelves, or even preserved plant walls. They come in all shapes and sizes and can host up to 10 people. Privacy levels of office pods can vary as well, pods can be designed with just upholstered walls and no ceiling or they can be completely enclosed with doors.
Here are four ways that office pods can be used in the workplace:
1. Office pods as places to converse
Office pods offer a solution to the challenges posed by open office floorplans by providing designated areas for private meetings. By specifying office pods with privacy panels or walls, an acoustical barrier is created, aiding in fostering focused conversations. Notoriously distracting, open office floor plans are filled with communal spaces that generate both auditory and visual stimuli, which can easily divert the attention of meeting participants in nearby conference rooms.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into meeting spaces:
2. Office pods as places to chill out
Relaxing at work may sound counterintuitive, however, studies show that providing spaces in the office to decompress is beneficial to the long-term success of knowledge workers. Studies indicate that stress contributes to 60% of workplace absenteeism. Employee burnout is common, and offering places within the office where workers can nap, read, lounge, or meditate will improve productivity. Tech-free zones are becoming increasingly popular as they encourage employees to drop their phones and problems at the door and focus inward. In the evolving hybrid workplace model, libraries and reading nooks are recommended for moments of quiet reflection. Specifying office pods with wrapping walls can create a place away from all the chaos where employees can clear their heads. Pods serve as secluded areas for office workers to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into relaxation zones:
3. Office pods as places to create
According to a study by Gensler, 43% of people rank team building and collaboration as the most important attributes of a great workplace. Workplaces can encourage teamwork by adding maker spaces, innovation hubs, and team rooms to their office floor plans. Innovation hubs are collaborative spaces that foster the cross-pollination of ideas by providing access to resources, like cutting-edge tools and continued learning experiences. Placing office pods in these spaces will allow employees to have a destination for brainstorming or group work. Office pods can have upholstered outsides, like our Helix Pod so that team members can pin inspiration or concept photos to the fabric. You can even specify laminate that is similar to a dry-erase board, so employees can draw or make notes on the table of the office pod or use its’ outside back as a massive dry-erase board. Our Alistair Pod would be the ideal pod for this type of writable surface.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into creative spaces:
4. Office pods as places to concentrate
Another major reason employees want to return to the office is to escape the distractions of their home life. In a workplace study conducted by Gensler, they found that high-performing workplaces are 2.5X more likely to have spaces for focused concentration. Office pods are a smart option for creating private, distraction-free areas for employees to complete tasks. Pods with upholstered walls shield individuals from ambient noise and visual distractions. They also create individual workspaces for neurodivergent employees who may need seclusion to concentrate.
Here are some tips for customizing office pods into individual workspaces:
Transforming offices to be highly collaborative spaces that offer a variety of locales for workers to choose from can create a sense of autonomy and make the workplace more productive. The integration of office pods emerges as a transformative solution. These versatile products, whether referred to as office pods, work pods, or seating pods, bring a host of benefits to the table, enhancing employee retention. Offering a unique third place within the office ecosystem, office pods cater to diverse needs, from casual interactions to focused work sessions or group meetings. Embracing a variety of shapes, sizes, and privacy levels, office pods stand as a testament to the adaptability and ingenuity essential in creating workspaces that inspire creativity, collaboration, concentration, and overall well-being.