When you think of the stereotypical office, what comes to mind? 

If the thought conjures up images of a big, boring, silent room packed with desks and chairs without a window in sight, you’re not far off from the status quo. 

But here’s the problem—nothing is inspiring, energizing, or motivating about that environment. 

Today, the average office has become so inherently disconnected from the needs and wants of modern employees that many professionals don’t want to be there anymore.  

This isn’t just our opinion. It’s a fact rooted in data from our national survey of Canadian professionals. 

But our mission is to empower organizations to foster workplace engagement by empowering businesses like yours to provide office environments where people actually want to be. 

So, in this article, we detail the tangible elements that every office needs to have to fit the bill. 

The Importance of Workplace Engagement 

Employee engagement gets a lot of attention today, but as organizations map out the best route toward getting their people back to the office, workplace engagement is becoming equally important.  

While employee engagement pertains to job satisfaction, morale, and productivity, workplace engagement pertains to the role of your physical workspace in creating an environment where your people want to be. 

For modern organizations, maintaining employee engagement relies on supporting workplace engagement. To learn more, read through our resource: Boost Your Workplace Engagement with Data and Business Context. 

Workplace Engagement by the Numbers 

Workplace engagement is a tricky thing. After a few years of flexible work arrangements, many companies are finding it more challenging to secure buy-in from their employees to come back to the office. 

In fact, 43% of Canadian professionals are vocal about the fact that they do not enjoy going to their current office.  

This seems to be, in large part, because offices have failed to keep up with evolving employee needs. 

According to our national survey, a few factors influence an employee’s decision to work from an office, including: 

• Ease of commute (42%) 
• Comfortable, dynamic workspaces (38%) 
• In-person collaboration and socialization (35%)  

 But the disconnect is clear: 

• One in three people indicated that their workplace hasn’t created a positive, encouraging, or enjoyable 
• More than half feel their workplace is outdated 
• 47% say their work environment is out of touch with their needs 

In light of this information, it’s clear that offices are missing some of the factors deemed most critical to Canadian workers: 

• Providing the right environment to do their best work (92%) 
• Matching their workstyle (85%) 
• Being customized based on their feedback (80%) 

Understanding the physical elements that employees value in an office is the first step toward creating a workspace that fosters engagement and productivity. 

7 Office Attributes That Support Workplace Engagement  

Creating an engaging work environment requires a fine balance of intangible office elements and physical attributes. 

By integrating these essential physical elements into your office, you can create an environment where employees feel motivated and valued.  

1. Convenience and Proximity 

When widespread remote work mandates were put into place, there was a seismic shift that occurred in the general sentiment toward commuting. 

Over time, professionals realized that an extensive commute added significant time to their daily work obligations.  

Today, people want to spend less time commuting to and from the office and dedicate more time to their personal lives. 

With a traditional office headquarters, employees would need to travel to one central location, regardless of their proximity to it. 

But with the rise of flexible offices, it’s easier than ever to support workplace engagement by decentralizing office operations and providing access to workplaces that may be closer to where your employees live.  

2. Diverse Work Areas 

The evolution of workspace utilization was another interesting byproduct of the mass migration to remote work. 

While people were working from home, they were more easily able to work when, where, and how it suited them best throughout the day. 

They could work from a desk, from the couch, at a coffee shop, or on a balcony. Whatever made it easiest for them to achieve productivity at any given time, they could adapt their environment accordingly. 

As our data shows, it has remained important for professionals to have access to space where they can do their best work. 

That’s why workplace engagement requires your office to mimic the flexibility people have become accustomed to, providing different areas where they can work, whether they want privacy in an office, a place to socialize, lounge areas, or designated meeting places and phone booths.  

3. Wellness and Amenities 

In the same vein as diverse work areas, a range of accessible amenities and wellness features also factor into the workplace engagement equation. 

Modern professionals have grown protective of their health, wellness, and work-life balance, and the best offices will help to make it possible through the provision of things like quiet relaxation spaces, mindfulness and meditation rooms, healthy snack bars, and fitness and wellness areas. 

4. Layout and Design  

It’s not enough to have diverse work areas and amenities in the building—they need to be accessible. 

That’s why office layout and design are crucial factors in workplace engagement.  

Generally speaking, if an amenity or seating area isn’t easily accessible, it won’t be used and, as a result, won’t be of value.  

The same applies to social areas and collision points—those areas where interpersonal interactions take place. 

For example, at iQ Offices, we ensure amenities are on the same floor as your workspace, and we intentionally put social areas like kitchens or lounges in central locations.  

These areas need to be filled with people and abuzz with energy to support workplace engagement.  

5. Hard spaces and Soft Spaces 

An engaging workspace isn't limited to traditional desk setups.  

By incorporating a mix of hard spaces (like desks and formal meeting rooms) and soft spaces (such as lounge areas and casual seating), you give people the autonomy to select the environment that best suits their tasks and moods at any given moment. 

High-quality furniture also plays a crucial role in workplace engagement.  

Ergonomic chairs, comfortable sofas, and versatile seating options not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the office but also contribute to physical well-being and productivity.  

6. Greenery and Decor  

The ambiance of an office significantly impacts workplace engagement. Thoughtful décor and the inclusion of natural elements like plants can transform a workspace into a more inspiring environment.  

Greenery not only enhances the visual appeal but also improves air quality and reduces stress levels, contributing to a healthier and more pleasant atmosphere. 

Tailoring the design and décor of your office can also help create an inspiring vibe in the workspace and foster a sense of place and belonging. 

At iQ Offices, for instance, we pay homage to each location's distinct vibe—whether it's the West Coast feel in Vancouver with whitewashed finishes and views of the ocean or mountains or the historic charm in Toronto with minimalist design elements.  

7. Natural Light  

Exposure to natural light and access to outdoor spaces are essential components of an engaging workplace.  

Natural light has been shown to enhance mood, increase energy levels, and improve overall well-being. Offices that are flooded with daylight help reduce eye strain and create a more inviting environment. 

It takes thoughtful and intentional design to create workspaces and common areas with open sightlines to windows. But when it’s done right, it can create a massive uptick in workplace engagement.  

The truth is that creating an office environment that supports workplace engagement is easier said than done.  

Figuring out what your team needs from their work environment, selecting the right features to enhance your office, and bringing it all to life is a complex endeavor. 

This isn't a simple task—it involves a steep learning curve that can consume considerable time, money, and resources. 

That's where iQ Offices steps in. 

We’ve spent more than a decade perfecting our craft. We understand what drives workplace engagement, and we’ve incorporated these elements into each of our locations—so that you don’t have to.  

Ready to learn more? We invite you to experience it for yourself—book a tour of your local iQ Offices location today.