Like many major employers, today’s modern offices were largely designed pre-pandemic with a focus on large conference rooms and individual assigned desk spaces. While this design provides both function and utility, it can also stymie collaboration and the building of cross-functional relationships, as well as limit space for focused, quiet work.
At Bobcat Company, we have embraced a culture of open seating or “hot-desking” for many years at our North American facilities, giving our team members the opportunity to choose their workstation each day based on their needs. Our office spaces are also designed with small meeting rooms called enclaves that are suited for individual or small group connections, as well as larger meeting spaces to accommodate a variety of meeting needs.
As our team in West Fargo continues to grow, our facilities group saw an opportunity to evolve our workplace with even more choice and flexibility.
/ Courtesy Bobcat Co.
We recently added several new individual “pod spaces” across our West Fargo office, sourced from Framery Acoustics. These ultra-modern, soundproof and windowed rooms are sized perfectly for an individual looking to minimize distractions, take a quick call or create a space for private, virtual meetings. Now, team members can use a pod for focused work time, vocal privacy or simply as a space to recharge. This also frees up larger conference rooms for group meetings.
The pods come equipped with optimized ventilation and lighting, as well as multi-functional seating and desktop configurations perfect for sitting or standing. Our team members have shared that they appreciate the alternative working environment that the pods provide.
From a broader employee culture and strategy perspective, we understand and embrace the need for increased autonomy within the office for how, and where, our employees do their best work. Other Bobcat locations have incorporated similar setups with great success and positive feedback.
While these pods are recent additions to our West Fargo office, we are looking forward to more of our team members taking advantage of them and sharing their thoughts with us. Our company approaches workplace development and office ergonomics from a continuous learning perspective, adjusting and enhancing amenities as beneficial to our employees.
Tammy Aronson is the workplace experience manager at Bobcat Company.
