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As hybrid work becomes the norm, employees are asking a new question:
What’s the return on my commute?
Known as Return on Commute (ROC), this concept is reshaping how people think about going into the office. It’s no longer about being seen it’s about whether the time, energy, and cost of commuting lead to real value.
According to Jeremy Reding, senior principal of DLR Group, “The Return on Commute (ROC) has become the new Return on Investment (ROI) for employees evaluating if and when they come into the office.”
To compete with the comfort and flexibility of home, the office needs to offer what remote work can’t: spontaneous collaboration, in-person energy, and a space that sparks innovation.
“It is understood that human connection and in-person collaboration are essential, but for employees to truly feel the value of investing in the commute to the office, they want to see that their organizations are also investing in them,” Reding says in a Work Design Magazine article.
According to Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index, 73% of employees say company expectations alone aren’t enough to justify going in. People want purpose. That purpose might come in the form of meaningful team time, fresh perspective, or a more energizing environment.
And while each employee’s sense of perspective will vary: flexibility and variation are key across the board.
This is where thoughtful workplace design makes a difference. Offices that support different work modes, heads-down focus, collaboration, casual interaction, help make the commute worth it.
Modern workplaces go beyond rows of desks. They create environments that foster productivity, creativity, and connection. According to the Human Spaces global study, offices with added natural elements see 15% higher well‑being, 6% greater productivity, and 15% more creativity in employees.
Thinking about employee wellness from the start of your next space are essential first steps to creating a motivated workforce. And they aren’t just nice-to-haves, they’re performance drivers.
Creating a workplace that delivers strong Return on Commute isn’t just about buying new furniture or adding plants. It requires a smart mix of interior design, audio-visual technology, and an understanding of how teams connect and collaborate.
NextSpace, featuring technology, integrations and media innovations powered by Immedia, is evidence of that. NextSpace was built as a gallery showroom for immersive workspaces.
Created to inspire the possible, and give leaders, designers, builders and visionaries the chance to walk through and experience the options available to them, NextSpace has a variety of spaces, unconventional uses, and design features that keep the space inspired and flexible.
By combining design thinking with cutting-edge AV solutions, NextSpace helps organizations reimagine their offices as engaging, tech-enabled environments that support both in-person and remote teams.
The result? After a visit to NextSpace, leaders can create offices that feel intentional, connected, and aligned with how their people actually work today, raising the ROC for both businesses and their teams.
ROC isn’t a passing trend. It’s the new baseline for office relevance.
“Your team needs to feel like coming to work in the office is a treat, like they can’t wait to be there, like the days in office are better than those at home,” said Jeff Emmons, CEO of NextSpace and Immedia. “To end up there, you need to begin the design process with that outcome in mind.”
When an immersive workplace can deliver a consistently positive experience, it justifies the trip and supports better work.
With the right partners and strategy, the office doesn’t just function, it becomes a space people choose.
Sources:
Hybrid work is just work. are we doing it wrong?. Microsoft. (n.d.). https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work-is-just-work?
Interface. (2018, June 28). Global study connects levels of employee productivity and well being to office design. PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-study-connects-levels-of-employee-productivity-and-well-being-to-office-design-300058034.html
Reding, J. (2023, October 27). Workplace evolution: Creating commute-worthy destinations. Work Design Magazine. https://www.workdesign.com/2023/10/workplace-evolution-return-on-commute-destinations/
