The Big Story Back to the office! How to take the workplace from good to great
Sep 20, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Sarah Bramley, Senior VP at Colliers Canada and workplace strategy expert, shares insights on transforming office spaces post-pandemic. She highlights how outdated office designs clash with modern work preferences, leading to employee pushback. Sarah emphasizes the importance of activity-based workspaces that foster collaboration and mentorship, rather than superficial perks. She also explores leasing trends and the appeal of high-quality amenities in enticing workers back to the office.
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Pre-Pandemic Offices Are Outdated
- Many offices that existed pre-pandemic were already outdated and now fail to support new work patterns.
- Forcing people back into such spaces reduces willingness to return and harms engagement.
Design For Activity-Based Working
- Provide a variety of activity-based spaces instead of single assigned desks.
- Move video calls out of open areas into private rooms to support focused work.
In-Person Advantages Matter
- The office must deliver activities that can't be replicated virtually like mentorship and learning by osmosis.
- Companies should design spaces and behaviours specifically to enable those in-person advantages.