Evolution of the Workplace

In 2020 we have seen a lot of changes in the workplace - remote work, way too many zoom meetings, and an increase in email correspondence. This change has many people contemplating the necessity of the workspace and questioning if things will ever return to the way they were before COVID. 

Honestly, I don’t believe things will be the same, even after the pandemic ends. Companies have seen the possibilities and productivity that can come from being more flexible. But even if things don’t stay the same, the office is not gone for good. In our blog ‘Re-[Engage] with the Workplace,’ we talked about the importance of the office and why they can’t disappear. And while we fully support that statement, we also know that after this year more and more companies will continue reducing in-office staff and avoiding long-term leases. The workplace is evolving, and that’s ok.  

Here’s why we shouldn’t be stressed about these changes-  

This isn’t the first time the workplace has evolved. Every decade had something that influenced how and where we did our jobs. In the late 1800s we saw the effect of the typewriter on staffers and their production. This transition alone shook the workforce in an unexpected way, “handwritten documents and correspondence were the norm, even in business,” (Harvard Business Review [1]. But once Remington began mass producing typewriters in the 1870s, the office was never the same. 

In the 1960’s we saw the invention of the cubicle and how it radically changed the appearance and feel of the workplace. It was originally created to give employees more privacy and get rid of the segregation between the desired corner offices and the ‘bullpen,’ which held its roots in blue-collar occupations and reflected the factory floor setting. Employers and employees have mixed feelings about the cubicle now, but it can’t be denied that the introduction of this “private” workspace altered the workplace.

As technology advanced so did the way we worked. From the introduction of pagers, which made telecommuting possible in the 1970s, to the beginnings of personal computers in the 1980s- we have seen how outside influences change the way we do our jobs and where we do them. 

The ability to work from anywhere has never been easier than right now. 

When the 1990’s gave us email, which we can now check at any time thanks to our phones and computers, we have become accessible at any time. At the office or at home doesn’t matter because important documents, office problems, and bills can always find us - thanks a lot 90s! 

In the 2000’s we saw the fall of cubicles and the return to open workspaces. Many companies hope this sort of openness will force collaboration and teamwork. Again, many employers and employees have mixed feelings about this. Like the cubicle, open workspaces are a one size fits solution to a much more complex problem. The reduced overhead and ability to cram more people into a single space also motivated many companies to jump on the open space concept. But this solution doesn’t fit everyone… attorneys, for instance, need their privacy and a quiet space to concentrate. 

We’ve also seen a wave of millennials demanding more flexible work environments, and the ability to occasionally work from home, and recently some progressive older generations are also embracing this approach. But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that we really analyzed the arrangement on a large scale, to see if it was a viable option on a regular or permanent basis. 

Change is inevitable 

From the 1950s “bullpen” to the flexible coworking spaces of 2019 - there has been a shifting of what the ideal workplace looks like. The one thing that has remained consistent for successful companies is their ability and willingness to change. Flexibility has been an important part of business since day one and that mindset is now being reflected in the way we office. 

2020 has shown us that the traditional workplace, with long-term leases and high overhead, are becoming less desirable for many companies. This year has taught many of us how quickly our needs can change, and many companies do not want to be stuck in a 10-year lease when their whole landscape is changing. Many are realizing that flexibility is key. 

Boutique firms and solo attorneys are the first to start shifting away from traditional office arrangements, by leasing individual offices from larger firms or trying out the many coworking spaces popping up. And while the ability to work from anywhere is important and can help your business in many ways, there are other considerations such as security, confidentiality, and the need for resources and amenities. 

Because of the flexibility it offers, the coworking concept has been an amazing solution for so many businesses, but attorneys need more privacy than most can offer. That’s why many attorneys have started to look towards workplaces like Engage – Workspace for Lawyers, which is specifically geared towards attorneys. We understand what your firm needs, and we can help not only administratively, but financially, by reducing your overhead. 

So, even though we see the changes happening at our workplaces, we don’t need to shy away from them. Throughout the lifespan of the office, every time there has been a shift, the companies who prosper the most are the ones who embrace it. 

Embrace the change and evolve with the workplace by officing at Engage – Workspace for Lawyers.

[1] Kelsey Gripenstraw and Anne Noyes Saini, A Brief History of the Modern Office, Harvard Business Review, July 15, 2020

Engage Workspace for Lawyers is an office space for lawyers built by lawyers. Unlike other coworking spaces, Engage charges a flat monthly rate for access to a full suite of resources and limits membership to a community of lawyers. If you are looking for law office space where you can focus on your practice and be surrounded by great colleagues, please contact us or book a tour.

© Elysium Consulting LLC dba Engage Workspace for Lawyers.  2018-2023.  Represented by intellectual property law firm, Klemchuk PLLC.