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Nathan Manuel,  Workplace Experience at PagerDuty, relies on data to uncover the truth behind the way people work.

This data informs workplace design choices that support sustainability and provide a work environment where employees can thrive.

We talked with Nathan about the importance of iteration, the impact of flexible work, and how data helps him create better spaces for his people and the planet.

Below is our full conversation with Nathan, as well as a few key takeaways.

Redefining “workplace”

There’s plenty of examples of companies requiring employees to come back to the office — at least to some degree.

Nathan sees things differently.

“I don’t want to be the person telling our executive team we should be one of those companies that are requiring people to be in the office two or three days a week,” he says. “I don’t think that makes us competitive.”

Mandates inhibit negative feelings about what people have to do versus what they want to do. In the workplace, attendance should be inspired by how a person feels when they work and what they want to get accomplished while in the office. Standing out from the competitiveness of more job openings than there are people to fill them requires truly understanding that the workplace is so much more than a 9-5 desk routine.

To be competitive is to look to the future. And that, Nathan says, requires redefining the workplace.

“If we redefine the workplace to how we work, not where we work,” he says, “then we really provide ourselves an opportunity to think creatively and intelligently about ways to engage employees and change the employee experience.”

Making the most of unused space

Understanding how space is used, and then repurposing that space to both enhance workplace experiences and find additional uses can be done with measurement. By measuring his workplace, Nathan can identify specific days and times when areas of his workplace go un (or under) used.

By gathering this data, Nathan can then offer these spaces to PagerDuty’s nonprofit partners to use for fundraisers, meetings, or other events that benefit the community. Office space can be so much more than just the office, as space gives way to collaboration and socialization of all kinds.

Sustainability

Repurposing space not only creates better experiences but also reduces our carbon footprint. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to today’s workforce. Forward-thinking companies understand that sustainable practices are essential to maintaining a competitive edge, as job seekers are prioritizing a company’s sustainability efforts when considering a new job.

Companies like Okta are leveraging the impact of dynamic work to meet their lofty sustainability goals. See how.

The future of the workplace is about more than what happens inside an office. From selecting new furniture to expanding or decreasing square footage, almost every workplace decision affects our planet.