P&G invests in creative and innovative workspaces

According to Procter & Gamble, a multinational consumer goods company, in any of its facilities around the world, it is possible to find something new, such as creative innovation rooms, outdoor workspaces, modular recycled furniture or quiet spaces where employees can recharge their energies and connect with nature.

With the quick advancement of hybrid working model, the role of the workplace is changing, along with the needs of employees. For this reason, at P&G, the Digital Workplace Services team ensures that company offices have engaging workspaces that support the way people work today and are ready for the future.

“There has been an industry-wide shift in the primary type of work happening at the office from individual focus work to more group collaboration, although there will always be a mix”, says Nick Dewald, architect and design manager in Digital Workplace Services.

In response to that shift, the team is creating functional, sustainable spaces that foster collaboration, productivity and wellness. “The technology, types of spaces and furnishings are evolving to accommodate and encourage the collaboration and innovation that can’t take place remotely”, explains Dewald.

As a result, the employee has a better on-the-job experience, which is essential to attracting and retaining the best talent around the world. These employees, in turn, provide a superior product experience for consumers, according to the company.

 

ENABLING FLEXIBILITY THROUGH TOP TECH

Even before the pandemic, P&G was working focused on tying technology into each workspace in a way that fostered reliable remote communication, flexibility and engaging in-person collaboration.

“This includes seamlessly integrating technology so the employee connecting remotely can engage and contribute just as much as the person in a meeting room with their team”, says Ervin Perviz, architect and design manager at P&G.

As hybrid work becomes essential to optimizing the employee experience, P&G’s workplace design teams are improving their understanding of how to design a workspace for employees who live in this routine.

The company’s goal is to operate the buildings effectively, provide service amenities such as dining/catering, cleaning or even facilities/concierge support, and ensure that the appropriate quantities and types of workspaces exist for employees to perform at their peak. “Really, it’s about making the space more dynamic, and a place where you can really get things done”, adds Ervin.

DESIGNING FOR ONE AND ALL

P&G’s Workplace Design group works with architects from around the world to ensure continuity in their spaces while allowing their employees to be creative.

According to the company, designers are addressing accessibility gaps in workspaces so that offices not only reflect their unique identity but are inclusive for all.

What the company calls universal design – design for all that goes beyond traditional accessibility to address visible and invisible disabilities – is given careful attention.

“Our Universal Design vision is to create workplace environments that are usable by all, to the greatest extent possible, driving connectedness and collaboration among P&G teams and prioritizing employee well-being”, says Fred Spittael, architect P&G Global.