The return to face-to-face work: How is the office model changing in times of hybrid work?

The return to face-to-face learning: a growing trend

After the rise of teleworking during the pandemic, many companies have decided to bet on the hybrid model, combining face-to-face and remote working days. However, in recent months a clear trend towards a return to face-to-face work has been detected. According to recent studies, more than 60% of companies have implemented policies to encourage the presence of their teams at least three days a week.

This movement has been driven by several factors:

• Corporate culture and team cohesion: Face-to-face interaction reinforces the feeling of belonging and facilitates the transmission of business values.
• Productivity and innovation: Studies indicate that collaboration in the same space can generate ideas faster and speed up decision-making.
• Optimization of resources and efficiency: Some companies have adjusted their spaces to make them more flexible and functional, reducing the number of square meters needed.
• Need for better adapted spaces: The return to the office does not mean returning to the traditional model. Now, offices must evolve to adapt to new work habits.
• Talent attraction and retention: Many professionals value the benefits of face-to-face work when companies offer spaces designed for their well-being and growth.

Relocation and adaptation of Overtaal’s offices in Berlin

Hybrid work: an intermediate solution?

Hybrid work has been the most popular answer to balancing the advantages of remote work with the benefits of in-person. This model allows workers to combine working days at home with office days, promoting greater flexibility and work-life balance.

But not all companies manage it in the same way. Some have chosen to structure face-to-face work with fixed days, while others leave employees the freedom to choose when to go to the office. In any case, this model has generated new challenges:

• Physical space management: With fewer people in the office each day, efficient planning is necessary to avoid underutilized spaces.
• Team coordination: When some workers are in the office and others are connected remotely, there is a need for tools and strategies that guarantee fluid communication.
• Well-being and motivation: Workers need to feel equally connected to the company and to their colleagues, regardless of where they work.
• Impact on company culture: A poorly implemented hybrid model can lead to a disconnect between teams, affecting engagement and productivity.

Flexible spaces for a new way of working

With this new scenario, many organizations have chosen to redesign their workspaces to make them more attractive and functional. At Efebé we propose solutions designed for this new context, betting on more flexible and adapted offices.

Today’s office must balance spaces for individual concentration with areas for collaboration and creativity. For this reason, at Efebé we propose different types of environments:

• Concentration areas with ergonomic furniture and acoustic elements to ensure distraction-free work.
• Collaboration rooms prepared for meetings and teamwork, both face-to-face and hybrid.
• Flexible co-creation spaces , with movable elements to encourage innovation and brainstorming.
• Rest and socialisation areas, such as WorkCafè spaces or outdoor areas, to promote well-being and motivation.

TransPerfect’s new headquarters with hybrid offices in Lisbon

The future of offices: a space for attracting and retaining talent

With the growing return to face-to-face work, companies must rethink how they use their spaces to attract and retain talent. The office should be a place where workers want to go, not where they feel compelled to go. Therefore, adapting offices to new needs is key to business success.

At Efebé we work to transform offices into inspiring environments adapted to new work dynamics. If your company is looking for a way to promote face-to-face work with an optimal space for workers, contact us and we will propose the perfect solution!