The office work environment has faced a range of challenges in recent years. Regaining momentum after the prolonged and enforced work-from-home experience of the COVID-19 years has proven to be difficult for many organizations.  

With the new wave of technology available, online meetings and remote working have become part of everyday life. A new generation of employees has joined the workforce who are as used to seeing their colleague on-screen as they are in-person. 

However, irrespective of how much commute time is saved by these tools and despite the preferences of some employees, there is compelling evidence that working from the office can boost productivity. A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that workers who were randomly assigned to work from home on a full-time basis were 18% less productive than their in-office counterparts, either taking longer to complete tasks or getting less done. Human beings, after all, are innately social creatures who thrive best in social settings.

For companies looking to boost productivity and enhance engagement, there is a clear case for encouraging employees to spend more of their time in the office, where they are closer to their colleagues and more likely to feel connected to the higher purpose of their organization. 

One way of making on-site work more attractive, and more productive, is to consider the concept of the office campus, where the workspace encompasses facilities and services designed to make employees happier and more productive. 

Certainly, not all companies can take the Silicon Valley route and operate from vast campuses spread over several acres, but even smaller organizations can seek to emulate the key benefits of the campus concept – with distinct spaces and zones for meetings, presentations, creative collaboration, eating, and relaxing, while services such as health and fitness can be offered as part of a subsidized package at a nearby fitness center. 

With this in mind, here are five key features of the office campus concept for organizations in the region to consider. 

1. Collaborative environment: Office campuses offer a centralized location where employees from different departments can interact and collaborate easily, fostering creativity and innovation through either planned or spontaneous discussions.
2. Amenities and facilities: Many office campuses are equipped with amenities such as cafeterias, fitness centers, recreational areas, and outdoor spaces. These facilities contribute to employee satisfaction and well-being and promote a healthy work-life balance.
3. Brand image and culture: Establishing a physical presence through an office campus can enhance a company's brand image and contribute to shaping its corporate culture. It provides employees with a sense of belonging and identity, reinforcing company values and goals. It also impresses visitors and visiting clients.
4. Networking opportunities: Office campuses can be used to host events, seminars, and workshops, providing employees with opportunities to network not only within their own company but also with professionals from other organizations. This networking can lead to partnerships, collaborations, and knowledge-sharing.
5. Efficient operations: Having all or most employees in one location can streamline communication and decision-making processes, leading to more efficient operations. It also simplifies logistical aspects such as management, security, and infrastructure maintenance.

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ABOUT EQUITATIVA GROUP: 

The Equitativa Group is a leading regional asset manager focused on creating and managing real estate investment trusts (REITs). The group offers innovative risk-adjusted, income generating financial products that cater to institutional and retail investors. As the founder of the UAE’s first Shari’a compliant REIT, Emirates REIT, Equitativa is today one of the largest REIT manager in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and one of the biggest REIT Managers for Shari’a Compliant REITs in the world. In the UAE, Equitativa manages two leading REITs: Emirates REIT and The Residential REIT, the latter incorporated in Abu Dhabi Global Market