After years of having employees work from home, businesses are keen to bring staff back on-site to boost collaboration and company culture. But not everyone is thrilled about trading pyjamas for professional attire.

The problem is that many people have become accustomed to rolling out of bed and straight into work. No commute. No office distractions. Just them, their laptop, and maybe a pet curled up nearby. If they’re returning, the office needs to be where they want to be.

At Workspace Direct, we're passionate about helping New Zealand businesses create work environments that encourage better morale, higher productivity, and teams that stick around. In this article, we share some practical tips for designing a workspace employees want to come back to.

Make Comfort a Priority with Ergonomic Furniture

If people are coming back to the office, the setup needs to be better than what they had at home. No one wants to swap a comfy chair and a personalised desk for a stiff seat and a cramped workspace. Comfort matters. When people feel good, they work better.

Start with proper ergonomic furniture. A good office chair can be the difference between being able to focus and spending half the day stretching out a sore back. Look for chairs with lumbar support, adjustable settings, and enough cushioning to help employees get through an eight-hour day.

Desks matter too. Employees shouldn’t feel crammed into a tiny space with no room to spread out. Bigger, sturdier desks make a difference, and adjustable-height desks give people the option to sit or stand.

Give Employees Control Over How They Work

Nobody works exactly the same way. Some people focus best sitting at a desk. Others do their best work when they’re able to move around. At home, employees had full control over their setup. If the office takes that away, it’ll feel like a downgrade. The solution? Flexibility.

First, let employees adjust their workspace. Not everyone wants their chair at the same height, their desk in the same position, or their monitor at the same level. Adjustable workstations let people tweak things to suit them.

Next, offer different types of work areas. Some people focus better on a couch, at a high-top table, or tucked into a quiet booth. A mix of workstations like traditional desks, lounge seating, standing desks, and private nooks lets people move around based on what they’re working on.

Finally, let employees personalise their space. For instance, a second monitor, a favourite mug, a small plant. These things can make a workstation feel like their own, not just another spot in a corporate layout.

Make the Office a Place Where People Can Actually Focus

One of the biggest reasons people don’t want to come back to the office? Distractions. Open-plan layouts, constant noise, and interruptions can make it hard to concentrate.

Start by controlling noise. Open-plan offices get loud fast. This is especially true if collaboration zones are mixed in with workstations. Separate noisy areas (like break rooms and common spaces) from focus areas so employees don’t have to work through background chatter. Consider using sound-absorbing panels, rugs, and soft furniture to cut down on echo and noise pollution.

It’s also a good idea to set clear noise expectations. Some people like background noise, others need silence. Headphone zones, ‘do not disturb’ signs, or simple office etiquette rules can make it easier for everyone to work the way they need to.

Ergonomic Office Furniture NZ

Bringing employees back to the office successfully takes more than just telling them to show up. It hinges on creating a space they actually want to be in. Comfort, flexibility, focus, and smarter collaboration all play a part in making working from an office feel just as good or better than working from home. A stiff chair, noisy workspace, or a one-size-fits-all setup just won’t cut it.

That’s where we come in. We help businesses like yours build better work environments with high-quality, ergonomic office furniture. We stock everything from standing desks and ergonomic chairs to storage solutions, meeting tables, and breakroom seating.

Need desks and chairs that support employees for a full workday? We’ve got them. Want a mix of collaborative spaces and focus zones? We can help with that too. We have furniture solutions to fit every space and budget, no matter if you're fitting out a brand new office or upgrading an old one.

You can shop online 24/7 and we’re happy to guide you with expert advice. Plus, we ship across New Zealand. This makes it easy to create a workspace that keeps employees comfortable, engaged, and happy to be back, wherever you are.

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