The trend started with workplace foosball tables, state-of-the-art fitness centers, yoga classes, free juice bars and free lunches. Companies were thinking of, and investing in, a variety of programs and incentives to entice their employees to return to the traditional workplace on a regular basis.
Oxygen therapy
Recently, companies have applied a new level of creativity to designing workplace amenities, and that effort seems to be moving the needle.
Rebecca Lee, Vice President of Development for Simpli, a full-service experience management company that works with real estate development groups and building owners nationally, explains that a new array of health, wellness, and convenience services are being offered to enhance the tenant experience and provide compelling new reasons for employees to return to the office. Many align with concepts that are showing strength and popularity in the retail sector.
These new services include chiropractic services, massages, pedicures and manicures, B12 shots, IV hydration drips, nutrition and personal training, dental cleanings, physical therapy, dry needling, and stretching programs.
“We compiled a list of services requiring employees to leave the workplace for a period of time, as well as those that they always wanted to try, but might not fit into their current budget,” explained Lee. “Wellness and fitness options rose to the top of the list, but time-saving conveniences were also extremely popular.”
That inspired the incorporation of mobile dog grooming and automotive oil changes, executive headshots, and passport photos.
“Companies offering creative employee amenities have a distinct advantage in recruiting and retaining employee talent, in addition to providing compelling new reasons to return to the workplace more regularly,” Lee said. “This all contributes to creating situations in which employees want to return to, rather than one they feel obligated to attend.”
Vitamin B12 injection
According to Kelly Ennis, Director of Commercial Interiors and Strategic Growth, JP2 Architects, amenity spaces are no longer an afterthought in today’s evolving commercial landscape. Rather, they are essential elements in fostering community, sparking connection, and elevating day-to-day experience. Companies, she said, now recognize the critical need to include enlarged amenity areas when designing their workspace, and are experiencing clear and measurable ROI when crafting amenity-rich offerings.
A successfully executed plan, said Ennis, “prioritizes experience over superficial add-ons; furthers the corporate brand, leaves an impression and helps tell a story; and addresses the needs of all stakeholders, including internal teams, visitors and guests.
“As landlords improve their amenity assets, we are seeing a ‘flight to quality’ which has become a significant driver and difference-maker for tenants in the marketplace.”
“Convenience itself is a perk, especially offerings that alleviate the need to run errands on the weekends or after work, which provides great value to team members,” stated Ashley Campbell, Senior Vice President, HITT Contracting. “We are in the process of building our new headquarters and will have spaces intentionally designed for wellness and convenience offerings, with some of the ideas in consideration including chiropractors, salon services, acupuncture, physical therapy, grab-and-go family meals, and treadmill conference rooms for walking meetings.”