How to encourage employees to return to the office: A quick guide for facilities managers

After the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and hybrid working has become the new normal for many employees, but now employers are encouraging teams back to the office, with the aim of improving productivity and collaboration.

To ease this transition, facilities managers are tasked with a critical job: elevating the office to more than just a place to work – to an ideal space to collaborate, connect with colleagues, and create a cohesive culture that drives the entire organisation forward.

In this guide, we'll explore how facilities managers can begin this process, creating an inspiring work space that meets modern needs and encourages employees to return to the office.

Does returning to the workplace improve productivity?

In many cases, yes. While employees working with fully remote or hybrid models enjoy the flexibility they provide, face-to-face collaborative working can help improve communication, speed up problem-solving, and strengthen team cohesion.

Additionally, employees who spend at least part of their working week in the office often feel more connected to their company culture, are more likely to build meaningful relationships, and benefit from mentoring opportunities that are hard to replicate virtually.

But here's the catch: the quality of the workplace matters. Returning to a stale or uninspiring environment can have the opposite effect, negatively impacting morale and productivity.

How to get employees excited about returning to the office

To re-engage remote workers and encourage an office return with new benefits, facilities managers must first understand what today's workforce expects and values.

Here are six areas to consider when building a successful return-to-workplace strategy.

1. Evolving expectations

The past few years have changed how people view the work-life balance. To justify a costly and time-consuming commute, hybrid employees expect more than just a functional workplace: they want an office environment that can enhance their lifestyle as well.

Facilities managers can meet these needs by:

• Ensuring comfort with ergonomic furniture, adjustable workstations, and good lighting

• Incorporating wellness-friendly design, such as quiet corners, air-purifying plants, and calming aesthetics

• Offering lifestyle perks like bike storage, shower facilities, or subsidised travel

2. Rethinking the office work environment

Another way to increase the appeal of a physical office is to redesign rooms with more purpose.

It's no longer about rows of desks and identical meeting rooms. Today's office must cater to multiple working styles: from open, flexible areas for brainstorming and teamwork to soundproofed focus rooms for deep concentration and relaxed lounges that encourage spontaneous chats and creative breaks.

Simple upgrades can also make a big impact:

• Natural light, greenery, and calming textures to reduce stress

• Soundproof booths or acoustic panels to limit distractions in open-plan layouts

• Smart booking systems to help employees reserve spaces efficiently

• Adjustable lighting and climate control to let employees personalise their workspace for comfort

  3. Balancing in-person and flexible working

  Many employees don't want to stop working remotely completely. Employers must ensure that spending time in the office is worth the trip while still allowing for a hybrid work schedule.

  That means clearly defining and demonstrating the unique value of office time, whether that's team collaboration, access to specialist equipment, or simply stronger connections.

  Facilities managers can support this goal by:

  • Enabling seamless hot-desking to promote a more collaborative work experience

  • Supporting workers with technology that streamlines collaboration and work – for example, strong Wi-Fi, webcams, and digital whiteboards in meeting rooms

  • Offering incentives for in-office days, such as catered breakfast, social events, or wellness initiatives

  • Creating social spaces that encourage casual interaction, like break rooms with ping pong, table football, or a pool table

  Balancing remote flexibility and office time shouldn't feel like a compromise. With the right framework, it can be a better way to work.

  4. Supporting mental health

  One of the strongest arguments for in-person working is the boost it can give to the mental health and social well-being of workers. Loneliness, burnout, and lack of structure, in fact, are common concerns in remote working environments.

  By encouraging office attendance in a supportive, non-mandatory way, employees will benefit from:

  • Meaningful social connection and a stronger team culture

  • Relevant mentoring and additional development opportunities

  • Easier collaboration and reduced isolation

  Moreover, businesses that prioritise mental health – with quiet zones, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), or human-centred design – experience higher morale, retention rates, and engagement.

   

  5. Prioritising health and wellbeing

  A workplace that actively prioritises worker health will always outperform one that doesn't in terms of productivity and employee satisfaction.

  Beyond mental health, consider how your office can support physical wellbeing with:

  • On-site fitness facilities and meditation rooms

  • Wellness rooms, nap pods, and even after-hours yoga classes

  • Healthy snack options and easy access to filtered water to promote hydration

  Modern employees expect their companies to invest in their health, and this also means ensuring the office is a safe space to connect and work together.

  6. Improving the office space

  No one wants to return to a dated break room or awkward kitchenette. Upgrading shared spaces like hydration points, meeting rooms, and lounge areas demonstrates a meaningful investment in your team's comfort and wellbeing.

  You can start by focusing on some of the latest trends in modern office design:

  • Biophilic design. Integrating natural elements like indoor plants, living walls, natural light, and organic materials (such as wood, stone, and greenery) can significantly reduce stress and improve employee well-being. Biophilic spaces don't just look better – they feel better, creating a calming atmosphere that reconnects employees with nature.

  • Sustainable materials and energy-efficient appliances. Offices designed with sustainability in mind appeal to increasingly eco-conscious employees and reduce long-term operating costs. Think low-VOC paints, furniture made with recycled materials, and smart lighting or HVAC systems that adapt to user needs.

  • Premium water solutions like HydroTap. A modern hydration station does more than keep your team refreshed. HydroTap delivers instant boiling, chilled, or sparkling water from a single tap, combining convenience with a sleek design. These systems reduce single-use plastic waste, encourage healthier hydration habits, and add a touch of luxury that enhances the overall kitchen or break room experience.

  It doesn't all have to happen at once. Start with small wins and build momentum, encouraging people back to the office with each meaningful change. 

  How Zip Water can help

  A workplace that supports employee wellbeing doesn't just focus on big-picture design, but also on the small details that shape how people feel every day.

  That's where Zip Water comes in.

  Designed for the modern office, Zip's innovative water systems combine style, sustainability, and convenience, promoting hydration and making it easier for employees to stay refreshed and energised throughout the day.

  Why choose HydroTap?

  • Pure-tasting boiling, chilled and sparkling water at the touch of a button

  • Advanced MicroPurity filtration that removes contaminants as small as 0.2 microns – such as cysts, lead particles, and microplastics

  • Space-saving, modern design that elevates the look of shared areas like kitchens, hydration points and meeting rooms

  • Customisable styles and finishes for a seamless fit with your office's interior aesthetic

  Ready to build a workplace your team wants to return to?

  Explore our HydroTap range today or get in touch with a Zip specialist to find the right solution for your space.