The new mantra in corporate life can be summed up in a simple plea: "Please come back!" At a time when remote working has scattered employees far and wide, to the point of threatening that presumed source of collective intelligence garnered from being together, mandating a return to pre-COVID-19 in-person practices will invariably be viewed as regressive. Don't expect to attract those with high potential with this kind of directive. The pandemic has worked its relativistic magic; people have experienced a different way of getting things done (yes, in the pediatrician's waiting room, why not? – it's called the "despecialization" of work), without sacrificing efficiency.

In this new context, as highlighted by 70% of those surveyed in the 10^th ACTINEO barometer (a French initiative that assesses quality of life in the office), returning to the office may appeal not to have a boss breathing down your neck again, but rather to foster social relationships and camaraderie. According to the same study, 72% of respondents believe that "to make them want to come to the office, the company must offer better workspaces than at home." In other words: In the post-pandemic world, employees are not pawns required to be present but individuals who need to be enticed, much like any customer.

For companies with no cash-flow worries, the blueprint for generating "corporate" appeal, essential for a successful return, is that of the luxury hotel, with a capital "L" and a capital "H." Yves Wencker, former director of the Hôtel Raphaël in Paris, now runs the Maison Sanofi site in the capital's 17^th arrondissement and has brought along the principles of his former profession.

'Workplace experience'

Similar to "room service" in luxury hotels, teams ensure meeting rooms are impeccable on a daily basis, while hospitality officers at the reception desk strive to outdo each other in terms of courtesy, to make the stay of individuals now known as "residents" as pleasant as possible – just don't mention work; it might scare them away. Concierge services, designer furniture, Nina Métayer's pastries in the café and pizza breaks on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower are all there to make you forget your humble French press coffee maker as a remote worker. According to the new trendy jargon, we no longer go to the office; we now have a "workplace experience."

At BNP's head office in the 19^th arrondissement of Paris, "guest chefs will come to showcase their talent," as stated on Exalt's catering service website. Pleasing the palate is not the only fashionable strategy: Elsewhere, sports coaching, pottery workshops and yoga classes complete this ultra-luxurious provision that indirectly redefines the essence of the office. It's now a hub for cognitive interactions and a place where, in the era of flexible office spaces, people are no longer really encouraged to develop an owner's mindset for their corner of the open-plan office.

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