Balancing ‘Me’ Vs ‘We’ Spaces in Your Office

Do your employees need a place to recharge alone? Or perhaps an open plan meeting room to collaborate? Whatever your needs, it’s crucial to find the perfect balance to boost productivity, promote teamwork and prioritise your employee’s well-being. In most cases, this requires a mixture of ‘me’ and ‘we’ spaces, as this post will discuss.

What Is a ‘We’ Space?

A ‘we’ space is simply a part of the office that enables easy communication. It could be a larger kitchen, designated break spaces or even shared desks.

These spaces allow people to talk freely and share ideas in an effortless back and forth. Open offices are far from a new concept, with 70% of offices having desks with low or no partitions at all.

This ‘we’ space helps form a community in the workplace, making people feel more connected – important when sharing 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with one another. You can encourage group work, build employee relationships and even help boost your bottom line if people are feeling more valued as part of the team.

However, this openness doesn’t work for every office worker and does come with its drawbacks. Whether it’s the constant chatter or the buzz of phone calls, some employees feel this leads to less productive hours and instead crave some ‘me’ time at work.

What Is a ‘Me’ Space?

While ‘we’ spaces are great for fostering community, ‘me’ spaces prioritise the individual. They are areas that are designed specifically for the needs of your employees.

This can include closed office designs, with traditional cubicles and office furniture. But it can also mean much more than small cubicles, with quiet reserved breakout spaces, tailored to your company.

‘Me’ spaces can be created by using soft seating, warmer lighting and natural greenery. It gives people a well-deserved respite area, in a relaxing environment away from the noisy desk with constant notifications and interruptions. Private ‘me’ spaces are perfect for employees who require a place to recharge, focus and stay organised.

A Balancing Act

People feel more inclined to work when they know they’re preferences are considered. And when an employee feels valued, they will be more likely to contribute in a meaningful way. That’s why it’s important to cater to different employees with a workspace that ticks all the boxes.

To create this balance, it’s good to have an adaptable office space with a mixture of open and closed – or ‘me’ and ‘we’ – areas. For example, a larger meeting room is great for collaborative team meetings, but it could help employees’ personal productivity to have their own separate desk space.

Finding the Perfect Office

With the right office space, you can create the perfect balance between ‘me’ and ‘we’ – boosting employee morale and improving productivity. We have a vast selection of adaptable, modern, high-quality serviced offices across the North of England and the Midlands, which includes offices to rent Hull and offices to rent Burnley. Want to find out more about our serviced offices? Get in touch with our team on 0800 012 9088.