Forget bean bags and foosball tables. If you want people to want to come in, the office has to feel like a perk, not a punishment.
Right now, you're not just designing a workspace. You're trying to win people’s attention in a world where they’ve gotten used to having more control over their time, space, and energy. Home has zero commutes, flexible routines, and all the comforts. If your office can’t offer something better, or at least more meaningful, it’s just not going to cut it.
And here’s the hard truth: most offices aren’t giving people a good enough reason to make the trip.
The Silent Resignation: When People Show Up, But Don’t Engage
Let’s talk about what’s really happening inside hybrid and return-to-office environments. Yes, some employees are back in the building, but that doesn’t mean they’re back in the business.
The term “silent resignation” describes what we’re seeing more and more: people are physically present, but mentally switched off. And not because they don’t care. But because the space doesn’t meet their needs anymore.
And P.S. This isn't just a feeling. It's measurable.
Gallup found that only 21% of employees globally are actively engaged at work.
At Dell, the internal employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) dropped by 14 points after stricter return-to-office rules and monitoring tools were introduced.
JPMorgan rolled out a five-day RTO mandate in its Ohio office. Still, employees faced overcrowded parking lots, a lack of desks, and logistical friction that fueled dissatisfaction — some even explored unionization.
These examples all say the same thing: just telling people to come in doesn’t spark motivation. In fact, it often does the opposite.
So before you redesign your space or send that company-wide email, ask: Are we giving people a real reason to come back? Or just telling them they have to?
What Do Employees Actually Expect from the Office?
For years, office perks were just surface-level add-ons. Add a ping pong table. Fill the snack drawer. Throw in some drinks on Friday. That worked, until it didn’t.
Now, employees, especially younger generations (we’re looking at you Gen Z), want more. And they’re not afraid to say it.
Here’s what the data is telling us:
87% of employees say workplace wellness programs influence their decision to stay or leave a company (WebMD).
63% of employees report that healthy food options improve their productivity at work (International Food Information Council).
81% say they are more loyal to employers that offer flexibility and lifestyle alignment (FlexJobs).
And when it comes to traditional perks? They're often a miss:
Free coffee? Expected.
Friday beers? Gen Z drinks less than any previous generation.
Gym memberships? Nice, but not enough to justify an hour-long commute.
Instead, employees want practical, thoughtful, health-aligned experiences:
Customizable food and beverage choices.
Mental and physical wellness support throughout the day.
Environments that actually feel good to be in.
They don’t want “perks.” They want to feel that their time in the office is time well spent.
Why Should People Come Back? (And How Do You Make It Worth It?)
Saying "culture happens in the office" sounds nice. But if being in the office feels dull, disconnected, or draining, there’s no culture to build on.
This isn’t about space planning or policies. It’s about how people feel when they’re there.
And it starts with a mindset shift. Not about enforcing rules, but about creating experiences that work for your team.
Here’s what the best companies are doing differently:
1. Design for Experience, Not Just Occupancy
Office design isn’t just about fitting in more desks. The best spaces now mix different zones. Areas that energize, spaces to chill, and spots to connect without pressure.
Think:
Quiet corners for focus,
Bright nooks for casual chats,
Comfy lounge areas with plants and soft lighting,
Hydration spots that feel intentional and not like an afterthought.
2. Make Wellness the Default, Not a Perk
Wellness isn’t a bonus anymore. It’s a baseline. Offices that get it right include:
Healthy meals and snacks,
Plenty of natural light,
Calm spaces to reset,
Personalized hydration options,
These small details make a huge difference, especially in spaces where people spend most of their day.
3. Create Micro-Moments That Build Culture
Culture isn’t built at the annual retreat. It’s built in everyday moments: a shared laugh over a drink, a quick chat between meetings, an impromptu brainstorm at the counter.
These “micro-moments” are where teams bond, collaborate, and build a shared rhythm. The key is making sure those moments are easy to find and enjoyable to participate in.
Join the club
Ready to Upgrade Employee Hydration? Schedule a call or download our brochure.
Hydration as a Workplace Magnet
People want more than just a functional space. They want spaces that reflect how they live, think, and work. And one of the most consistently overlooked touchpoints? The hydration break.
The truth is, employees are no longer satisfied with “tap or still.” They want choice, variety, and functionality, something that brings a moment of enjoyment and personalization into their day.
At Visma YouServe, introducing Aquablu changed more than hydration. It shifted the dynamic of their office.
“It became a gathering point. People weren’t just stopping for a drink, they were pausing, connecting, coming back to life.” Ingeborg Brandsma, [role]
Aquablu works because it aligns with exactly what modern teams are asking for:
Variety and personalization: Over 48 drink combinations tailored to mood, focus, or wellness goals, something you just can’t replicate at home.
Convenience without compromise: A system that delivers quality without needing upkeep, effort, or time from office managers.
Sustainability: No plastic bottles, no guilt, just good choices made easy.
Hydration becomes more than just refueling. It becomes a micro-experience that employees actually look forward to and one that subtly reinforces a workplace culture that listens, cares, and evolves.
In short, it's not about water. It's about what better water says about your workplace.
Meet Aquablu REFILL+: A Smarter Way to Hydrate
If you’re looking for a setup that checks all the boxes: convenience, flavor, sustainability, wellness, you’ll want to check out Aquablu REFILL+.
It’s easy to use, looks great in modern spaces, and cuts down on both waste and sugary drinks, making everyone from HR to Facilities to Finance happy.
✓ Healthy environment
✓ Vitamines & Minerals
✓ Improve sustainability
✓ Happy employees
Why We Built Aquablu
Aquablu was founded on a simple, powerful idea: the most-used utility in the office, hydration, should actually support the people using it.
We’re meant to drink around three liters of water per day, and for most of us, a significant portion of that happens at work. Yet in many offices, the daily options are limited to coffee, tea, or plain tap water. That doesn’t reflect how people want to live — or work — today.
Our goal was to create something better.
We designed Aquablu to deliver 48+ personalized drink options, combining hydration with function, flavor, and zero waste. It’s a smart, sustainable system that fits seamlessly into the modern workspace. No plastic bottles, no maintenance, and no compromise.
Why? Because wellness shouldn’t be an afterthought in the workplace. And because small, thoughtful changes, like a better hydration experience, can shape a more energized, connected, and desirable office culture.
It’s not just about water. It’s about making the workplace a place people actually want to be.
Make Your Office a Place Worth Choosing
If you’re reimagining your workspace, do it with people at the center.
Start with the small, shared moments that define culture.
Start with hydration that doesn’t suck.
by
/