de A work environment includes the surroundings, social aspects, and physical conditions where employees work. These factors affect their well-being, relationships with colleagues, teamwork, productivity, and overall health.
On the flip side, a toxic work environment can backfire. When companies don’t care about the environment their employees work in, it may create a hostile atmosphere and leave employees feeling stressed, unappreciated and burned out. Obviously, you don’t want that, so you want to choose the types of working environments that suit your workplace.
Find out how to choose the proper work environment types and see examples of working environments in companies that have perfected it ⬇️
Four Types of Working Environments
Work environment types differ by physical and non-physical aspects. Physical aspects of an environment include office layout, lighting, temperature, noise level, ergonomics, break areas, technology and equipment. In remote and hybrid company environments employees manage these aspects in their home offices.
Non-physical aspects of the work environment include organizational culture, company values, interpersonal dynamics, leadership style, diversity and inclusion.
The workplace environment types listed here are mostly grouped by physical aspects, whereas non-physical aspects vary from company to company.
Here’s a rundown of different work environments, their pros and cons, and examples of working environment setups to show how they’re used in the real world.
1. Conventional Office Working Environment
The conventional work environment with its individual offices, cubicles and strict hierarchy is all about routine and structure. This setup is common in banks, law firms and government offices where face-to-face communication and a formal atmosphere are important.
But this kind of environment can be rigid and bureaucratic. Compared to other work environment types, employees tend to feel isolated, collaboration is limited, and there’s not much flexibility in how work gets done.
Truth be told, some companies manage to make this system work, but it is not always welcomed by employees.
Workplace at UPS
Earlier this year, UPS, the world's largest transportation company, announced that thousands of employees were to return to their corporate campuses, including the nearly 625,000-square-foot global headquarters in Atlanta. A UPS spokesperson confirmed the policy change to CoStar News. The shift impacted over 3,600 UPS workers.
This move makes UPS the largest public company in their state to end remote work. Although, there are exceptions for business travel, sick leave, caregiving or home repairs with manager approval.
“We know this news brings both excitement and mixed feelings,” UPS said in a memo. “We’re sharing it now so you can plan ahead. Our success has always been about personal connections — with customers and through partnerships formed from daily, in-person work interactions.”
2. Remote Working Environment
Compared to all the different work environments, working remotely is a game-changer. Employees love the freedom to work from anywhere, including their homes and coworking spaces. Such an environment boosts personal well-being, cuts out commuting costs and leads to higher productivity.
But there are downsides to this environment, too. Without regular social interactions, employees start to feel isolated. Plus, the lines between work and personal life can easily blur, which makes it hard to switch off. Despite these challenges, remote work environment continues to grow in popularity due to its many benefits.
Autodesk
One of the prominent work environments examples in this category is Autodesk, a provider of software products and services that has a remote-first workplace. The company’s chief people officer, Rebecca Pearce, strongly supports remote work. “I’ve never believed in judging performance based on office presence,” she said. “If you have to see someone in the office to know they’re doing their job, there’s a trust and accountability issue in your organization.”
Employees at the company get monthly perks, such as reimbursement for home office costs, the freedom to work from anywhere for up to 30 days a year, and a $750 stipend for setting up a home office.
After introducing the program, they’ve seen a 400% jump in job posting views and a 58% rise in job applications. In the US, there’s been an 82% surge in female applicants and a 45% increase from underrepresented groups. Clearly, the program promotes diversity within the applicant pool.
3. Flexible Type of Working Environment
A flexible work environment breaks away from the typical nine-to-five, five-days-a-week routine. Unlike the agile setup, it’s more unconventional and allows employees to work odd hours based on their team and tasks. This environment is popular with tech giants such as Google, Facebook and X to cater to the changing needs of the modern workforce.
The main advantage of this environment is, of course, flexibility. Employees can choose their working hours, which promotes work-life balance and accommodating personal responsibilities.
Like other types of working environments, this work style also has challenges. Most companies struggle without a set framework. Coordinating schedules becomes challenging when team members’ hours don’t perfectly overlap, especially across different time zones or work routines.
Still, the perks outweigh the challenges for many. By 2027, it’s predicted that 80% of millennials will choose flexible work models over sticking to full-time remote or in-office jobs.
Google’s Workplace
An example of a company that prefers employees to spend most of their work time in the office is Google. But at least they try to make those experiences more enjoyable. Their employees work across the globe in campuses made to elevate their work experience. These campuses offer bikes for convenient travel between buildings, a wide range of healthy dining options, on-site healthcare and counseling services, well-equipped fitness facilities and unique meeting spaces that are different from traditional office workplaces.
That said, there has been a shift in recent years towards more flexibility not just in schedules and activities but also in where people work. Here are examples of how Google is supporting a flexible working environment:
- Helpful@Home — Google stepped up support for remote workers with more parental and caregiver leave options and virtual cooking classes. They’re also sharing tips to improve productivity and well-being at home.
- No meeting days — Teams can schedule weeks or days without meetings to balance work, personal time and meetings more effectively.
- Focus time — Google Calendar now includes Focus Time, which blocks notifications and automatically declines work meeting requests.
- Reset" days — Google offers global staff days off to recharge so that everyone can take a real break without returning to a backlog of emails.
- Rethinking office spaces — Google has transformed large offices into versatile spaces with more collaborative areas and advanced technology. Employees can reserve desks in advance to sit together.
- Work from any location — Googlers can work from anywhere in the world for four weeks a year.
While most Googlers will spend three days in the office, teams can decide the best balance for their members. The company stressed that it approves 60% and 80% full-time schedules, as well as other part-time options, based on employees’ needs and manager approval.
4. Hybrid Working Environment
A hybrid work environment combines the two types of working environments — traditional office work with remote flexibility. Companies like Microsoft, Salesforce and IBM have embraced this model, and this allows employees to work both remotely and in-office.
What’s good about hybrid work is its balance. Employees can enjoy the flexibility of remote work while still participating in face-to-face collaboration when necessary.
With this environment, it can be tough to coordinate schedules and keep the team cohesive when employees are in different places and time zones.
Also moving to a new work environment can overwhelm internal teams. If you're moving to a hybrid type of work environment, prepare for a major internal realignment. It will be a journey of learning new technologies and workflows.
You can make the adaptation easier by using specialized space management software. This way, employees will be comfortable learning new tools and rethinking how to communicate and collaborate in their new work environment.
Despite these challenges, hybrid work is popular for its ability to adapt to modern work-life dynamics.
Spotify
One of the great work environments examples of a hybrid structure is Spotify. In February 2021, Spotify launched a work-from-anywhere (WFA) model that was a hit with its 8,600 employees. This policy lets staff choose to work from a company office or anywhere else globally, as long as Spotify has a hub in that country.
Anna Lundström, Spotify’s VP of human resources, said the WFA model’s success shows that listening to and trusting employees works, and the company will continue with this approach.
Despite the “great resignation” trend, Spotify reported that employee turnover has decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. The policy has also boosted workforce diversity and allowed the company to expand to new locations, including 42 US states and countries like Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
Spotify’s work-from-anywhere program is malleable and adapts to what staff wants. Anna Lundström admits that making hybrid collaboration work is tough. |It’s not just saying, ‘You can work remotely now,’” she said. "We’ve thought about everything — from salaries and taxes to food and commuting.” With that level of planning, the program was set up for success.
How to Choose Between Work Environment Types for Your Workplace
Researching different work environments helps you find what suits your team best, but that’s just the beginning. Every industry attracts different types of people, so understanding your team’s individual needs reveals what matters most to them. Use these insights to create an environment that balances their well-being with business goals.
Here are 7 tips to create a happy, healthy and successful workplace ⬇️
1. Know What Your Team Needs
If you’re not sure what your team needs from their environment, watch for the signs. Are they working late hours, stressed out, not joining office conversations, or complaining about something specific? These are clues that something might be up with your team.
Have a team meeting and ask everyone to share what’s going well and what’s not. Instead of criticizing, listen and ask questions that help them share their perspectives on work without feeling judged.
Then, think about what your organization needs right now. Reflect on how past needs were met — or not met — to understand what’s required from the environment.
2. Set Your Objectives Clearly
Beyond just being functional, your workplace should reflect your company’s dreams. It should boost creativity, teamwork and fit with your company culture. When your environment matches your team’s values, it creates a sense of purpose and engagement.
Start by making goals as straightforward as possible. Even if your company’s achievements are complex, setting goals doesn't have to be. Simple goals are easier to understand, follow and achieve. Set goals within clear time frames and ensure everyone knows their role.
You don’t need to share the whole plan with everyone. So, break down the plan and explain relevant parts to each person or department.
For goals to be achieved, they need to be measurable. Instead of saying “make the work environment better,” say “set up work-from-home rules and add three new meeting spots in the office by the end of the month.”
3. Respect How Everyone Works Differently
Everyone has their own way of working, which is why there are different types of work environments in the first place. Managers should encourage people to find what works best for them without hurting the team’s goals.
Consider that remote and in-office environments shape how people work best. As a leader, uncover these strengths and put people in the right situations and the right types of working environments.
For example:
- A go-getter thrives in a fast-paced environment where they can take quick action and see immediate results. They do best working from the office for meetings and collaborative sessions.
- A detail-oriented person excels in settings that encourage accuracy and thoroughness. They may prefer working remotely for focused tasks.
- A collaborative person enjoys teamwork and brainstorming with others. They benefit from both environments. On the one hand, they will participate in virtual meetings for planning and discussions and then join in-person sessions for creative teamwork.
In a hybrid workplace, all three work styles cohabitate well and thrive together.
4. Evaluate Your Workplace
Evaluate your work setup with a critical eye. If you already have a physical workplace, see if it meets the teams’ needs. A comfortable desk and ergonomic office chair are good for focused independent work, but working in that environment all day isn’t ideal for everyone and will not maximize happiness or productivity.
Work environments should feel inviting and enjoyable, with options like cozy seating areas, private phone booths and interactive meeting rooms available to all team members at every location.
In addition, analyze the efficiency of space utilization. Use special systems for this purpose to reduce the time spent on manual analyses.
If you already have a digital workplace that you’d like to improve, consider incorporating tools and platforms that facilitate diverse work styles.
5. Be Open to Flexibility
Any workplace can benefit from a flexible working environment, whether you work remotely or in person. The most important sign that your workplace is flexible is when everyone can set their own schedule and working hours.
For example, hybrid teams can make schedules and plan office visits. There is even special software for this task — such system makes the process more convenient and easier.
Other hallmarks of a flexible workplace:
→ Employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.
→ Personal needs are valued and respected.
→ Colleagues have a variety of responsibilities, not just one specific role.
But to be truly flexible, people need to think quickly and try new things. When given the freedom to be creative at work, they can adapt, solve problems and make good decisions when unexpected issues come up.
6. Try Different Workplaces Out and Adjust as Needed
Keep improving your workplace by trying new setups and getting feedback. Test different layouts or remote work periods to see how they affect productivity and employee happiness.
Build your team’s confidence by creating a supportive and trusting environment. Let them experiment without fear of failure and encourage them to share their results with everyone.
7. Ask Your Team for Input
Simply stating an open-door policy isn’t enough. It’s essential to actively seek feedback from employees regularly. Ask for their input in group meetings, during one-on-one discussions or any work-related conversations.
This approach encourages open communication and shows that their opinions are valued.
Key questions to explore:
- How can our workplace cater to everyone’s work styles and needs?
- What new trends in workplace design and work environment types should we think about adopting?
- How does our physical environment help us meet our goals and keep our team happy?
- Which tasks are best done together in person, and which ones work well in a remote environment?
- How can technology make it easier for us to communicate and work, no matter where we are?
When someone brings you bad news, it can sour your day. Even if what they say is upsetting, don’t let it show. If you want to stay well-informed, show equal appreciation for both the good and the bad news.
Finally, a common mistake leaders make is asking for input but then not doing anything with the suggestions. Only seek input from your team if you’re committed to taking action.
