Work Your Style

inspirational ideas for all the ways we work and learn

all about

Work Styles

During the course of the day, we work many ways. Whether alone, on-the-go, or collaboratively in groups, the goal is the same – to do productive work. Using a human-centered design approach, we’ve identified four common work styles that encompass employee and student preferences and different types of work:

Focus
Interaction
Regenerative
Ideation

These work styles play a key role in how furniture and the overall work and training environment can positively impact employee morale and productivity, as well as health and wellness. In fact, our studies have shown that companies that facilitate a variety of work styles within their work environment significantly increase productivity and employee satisfaction.

The information that follows provides details about these four key work styles and how to support them with furniture and space design solutions. Go ahead, work your style!

Download PDF

The Core Four

Focus

This is about you, the individual. Your work is accomplished alone. You determine where and how you are most productive. You control the noise levels around you and the level of privacy needed.

Buds In

When ear buds go in, you create your own work zone by controlling the surrounding noise. Buds are a sign of concentration; people understand not to interrupt.

Boxed In

If you require privacy for your work, a defined work environment gives you full control. Walls and a door are important elements of this space.

Plugged In

You frequently travel for work or generally work on the go, but you need a place to plug in when you’re back in the office with quick access to resources and coworkers.

Interaction

You work best in a semi-private but shared environment. This style ensures a level of privacy but spurs conversation when needed.

Clock Work

A task-oriented yet unassigned area allows you to do your job. Someone before or after you may utilize the same temporary touchdown space.

Workshop

A defined workspace gives you a high level of control but also provides open access to coworkers. There are times when you must really focus and other times when you seek input from others nearby.

Regenerative

There are times you need to refresh and revitalize creativity. Doing activities with coworkers or working in places outside of your norm allows you to reconnect with renewed focus.

Recess

Get the creative juices flowing with activities outside the norm to refresh your perspective. Have fun with fellow employees to reconnect with them and your work.

Hiding in the Open

You like working in public or open areas. Changing your environment to a non-traditional work area gives fresh focus and concentration which increases your productivity.

Ideation

This is about bringing people and ideas together. You brainstorm, educate and collaborate in areas that allow you to share. Privacy concerns are low as you want the free flow of information and communication.

Aquarium

You work openly with a diverse discipline of coworkers. You learn from them and vice versa; your work is transparent, and privacy is a low concern. Your environment fosters idea sharing and a free flow of information and communication.

Show & Tell

You participate in ongoing education and learning. Your peers and superiors serve as fellow students and advisors. Your group comes together to share knowledge and tell stories.

Workspaces for All

Employees have officially moved out of assigned workspaces. Up and coming generations have all but demanded freedom in how and where they work, as they know this flexibility enables them to be most effective and productive in their roles.

93%

of surveyed Fortune 500 companies are integrating spaces for employees to work outside of their assigned workspace.

58%

of modern work environments are now comprised of collaborative areas

How Do They Work?

So, where are employees working, if not in assigned workspaces?
Here's how our survey results break down:

Support the Space

A strategic mix and application of these dynamic, transitional furniture solutions will go a long way in creating environments that support employee work styles, enabling them to work smarter, collaborate efficiently and be more productive in the modern workplace.