The transformation of work is stalling in companies

This opinion piece was originally published in Kauppalehti on 2 January 2025.

Companies are still trying to determine how often employees need to be in the office and how to entice them back.

Employees, on the other hand, worry about showing up only to find their teammates aren’t there. They’re also concerned about being required to be in the office on days filled with virtual meetings, only to discover there are no suitable spaces left to join them.

In my experience, management teams are well aware of these challenges. They understand that the current office setup no longer suits the evolving workplace reality, where meetings are increasingly hybrid, yet there is still a strong desire to foster a sense of community.

Despite recognizing the need for change, many organizations lack the courage to act. Often, the reason is simply fear that a new office layout won’t work or that the necessary budget won’t be approved. As a result, offices undergo only minor updates, perhaps some new furniture, but their core functionalities remain unchanged. The root of the problem is left unaddressed.

This creates a deadlock: organizations fail to unlock the full potential of their office spaces because employees don’t want to spend time there. The transformation of work grinds to a halt.

I fully understand the need to carefully consider changes in the office. However, the current state of limbo in the workplace won’t improve unless concrete action is taken. Management teams must realize that transforming the work environment doesn’t always require a complete overhaul of the premises. Even with tighter budgets, there are ways to rethink the use of space to maximize its potential. The key is to identify specific changes that will genuinely improve functionality and address related challenges—one problem at a time if necessary.

It’s essential to collaboratively establish ground rules for the work environment to ensure that both the changes and the financial investment yield the desired benefits. Everyone who uses the space needs to understand what each area is designed for, how to make the most of it, and when they should be present at the office. With clear ground rules, many common pitfalls such as underused office areas can be avoided.

It’s time for companies to move forward and have the courage to make the changes that will steer their operations in the right direction. Nothing will change if nothing is changed. Companies need bold, change-driven leadership to break free from the current situation—one that no one is truly satisfied with.