The future work environment envisioned by Dutch employees: Reimagining the configuration of the future work environment and the role of the home-based work environment through the perspectives of Dutch employees in the post-covid era

On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. The pandemic caused a sudden shift in the work environment, and quarantines and lockdowns in particular, brought about much change. Since changes in society affect employees’ preferences and needs regarding the future work environment, existing research on employees' preferences and needs regarding the work environment in such an exceptional pandemic context may be questioned. Through a literature study, three exploratory interviews, 22 in-depth interviews, a survey and a focus group this qualitative research examines how employees who were forced to work from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic envision their future work environment, and what the role of the homebased work environment is in this. This information can be used by the organizations to respond to thepreferences and needs of their workforce when thinking about their future work environment. This research approach, in particular, may be employed by organizations in this process, as well as housing developers when thinking about the future house or real estate consultants when advising companies on their future work environment. From the literature study and the empirical study it is clear that working from home has left an incredibly positive impression on many employees. The pandemic certainly affected how, when and where employees prefer to work. The research found that the home-based work environment - the house, the employee, the activities, and the support facilities - affects the employees’ preferences and needs regarding the future work environment. Consequently, the future work environment includes the homebased work environment, and organizations anticipate a hybrid work environment in the future. It was discovered that other than the resources and facilities, it is important to take into consideration the principles of breaking with the past, health and well-being, communication, control and customization, social cohesion, flexibility, organizational policy, and technology when envisioning this future work environment.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Science