The traditional company office is being challenged. Too many empty desks. Too little energy. And forcing people back won’t fix it. The real challenge? Creating a space that fosters collaboration, strengthens community, and cultivates a genuine feeling of inclusion.
In collaboration with Colliers, a global leader in real estate and workplace solutions, we’ve explored how office occupancy impacts collaboration, culture, and workplace experience. In this blog, we share how to create an office where employees want to be.
The challenge of office occupancy in hybrid work
Many businesses worry about the frequency of their employees’ presence in the office. As remote work becomes standard, there is concern that employees may feel disconnected from the company and its culture. Some major U.S. companies, like Amazon, have mandated a return to the office to restore employee connections. Emphasizing that in-person work fosters better collaboration and strengthens company culture.
In the Netherlands, however, the approach is more balanced. Organizations are seeking ways to encourage employees to come to the office without forcing them. The goal is to make the office an attractive place to work, one that people want to be a part of.
But here’s the catch: An office can only be a true cultural hub if there’s enough interaction among employees. An empty office can’t foster the kind of connections that drive collaboration and innovation. That’s why maintaining a certain level of occupancy is essential.
Why do office occupancy rate impact workplace culture?
Our data shows that most offices are empty for a significant portion of the week. On average, 80% of the time, less than half of the employees are present. Fridays are especially quiet, with less than a quarter of the workforce on site.
This quietness can make the few people present feel isolated. This reduces the office’s effectiveness as a place for connection and teamwork.
To truly harness the power of the office, we recommend a minimum occupancy of 50%. When more than half of the team is present, the office comes to life. This is when people interact more naturally. Employees share ideas more freely, and the office becomes a lively space that supports the company’s goals.
Tips to increase office attendance
- Improve office design: Make more spaces for teamwork, socializing, and meetings. This will make coming to the office more enjoyable.
- Introduce in-office benefits: Offer perks like catered lunches, wellness programs, and learning sessions. This approach adds to the office culture and employees’ satisfaction.
- Plan important in-person days: Set specific days for teamwork, problem-solving, or all-hands meetings. This gives employees a reason to come in.
- Use workplace analytics: Use occupancy tracking tools to find patterns, and adjust office layouts, meeting spaces, and workstations as needed.
- Encourage leadership presence: Employees are more likely to come in if managers and leaders join in office life.
How to avoid an empty or overcrowded office
Finding the right balance of office occupancy is crucial. The ideal range is between 50% and 85%, enough to encourage interaction without making the space feel overcrowded.
Beyond 85%, the office can feel too busy, making it harder for employees to find suitable workspaces. This can negatively impact productivity, just like an empty office does.
Notably, reducing the number of workstations increases office vibrancy. For example, cutting the number of desks by 20% can result in nearly 50% more lively office days. Fewer desks make an office feel less empty. This helps employees interact with each other more easily.
How to create an office that feels alive
It starts with rethinking how you manage space. Instead of focusing on peak occupancy, consider how you can maintain a steady level of engagement throughout the week.
You may need to change your office layout. This could include making central areas for teamwork. You might also plan events and activities to bring people to the office on slower days.
Another strategy is to reduce the number of workstations. Design your office for a typical day, not the busiest one. Providing desks for 80% of employees, rather than all, keeps the space active while reducing real estate costs.
If you do not have a clear view of your workplace’s physical assets, visit Measuremen’s website. There, you can find workplace solutions to uncover office analytics and improve staff performance.
Conclusion: Creating a workplace employees want to return to
The workplace, as we know, is changing. By creating an engaging environment, companies can make their offices valuable for teamwork and company culture. The key is to shift from the old model of peak occupancy. Instead, we should focus on keeping a steady level of engagement all week.
A vibrant office involves more than just having people around. It is about making a place where employees feel connected, inspired, and proud to be part of their organization.
Instead of mourning the old office, let’s welcome the chance to build a workplace that focuses on teamwork and connection.
The office is evolving, so let’s make it a place where people want to be.
See how you can improve your office with our workplace solutions.