Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Reach Us
    • Career
    Subscribe Newsletter
    HR KathaHR Katha
    • Exclusive
      • Exclusive Features
      • Research
      • Point Of View
      • Case In Point
      • Dialogue
      • Movement
      • Profile
      • Beyond Work
      • Rising Star
      • By Invitation
    • News
      • Global HR News
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Diversity
      • Events
      • Gen Y
      • Hiring & Firing
      • HR & Labour Laws
      • Learning & Development
      • Merger & Acquisition
      • Performance Management & Productivity
      • Talent Management
      • Tools & Technology
      • Work-Life Balance
    • Special
      • Cover Story
      • Editorial
      • HR Forecast 2024
      • HR Forecast 2023
      • HR Forecast 2022
      • HR Forecast 2021
      • HR Forecast 2020
      • HR Forecast 2019
      • New Age Learning
      • Coaching and Training
      • Learn-Engage-Transform
    • Magazine
    • Reports
      • Whitepaper
        • HR Forecast 2024 e-mag
        • Future-proofing Manufacturing Through Digital Transformation
        • Employee Healthcare & Wellness Benefits: A Guide for Indian MSMEs
        • Build a Future Ready Organisation For The Road Ahead
        • Employee Experience Strategy
        • HRKatha 2019 Forecast
        • Decoding and Driving Employee Engagement
        • One Platform, Infinite Possibilities
      • Survey Reports
        • Happiness at Work
        • Upskilling for Jobs of the Future
        • The Labour Code 2020
    • Conferences
      • HRKatha Futurecast
      • Automation.NXT
      • The Great HR Debate
    • HR Jobs
    WhatsApp LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook Instagram
    HR KathaHR Katha
    Home»Exclusive Features»Is the term ‘office’ becoming obsolete & irrelevant?
    Exclusive Features

    Is the term ‘office’ becoming obsolete & irrelevant?

    Saheba Khatun | HRKathaBy Saheba Khatun | HRKathaMay 12, 2023Updated:May 12, 20235 Mins Read11640 Views
    Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Share
    LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

    The word ‘office’ has been in use for centuries, but with the rise of remote work and the changing nature of work itself, some people are beginning to wonder if the term is becoming obsolete. While it may be true that the traditional notion of an office is no longer relevant for some people, the term itself is still an important one that carries a lot of meaning.

    Let us first understand what the word ‘office’ means. Historically, an office was a physical space where employees worked for a specific number of hours each day. This space was usually located in a building owned by the company or employer, and it was where all the administrative tasks were performed. However, with the rise of technology and the internet, the idea of an office has evolved to include virtual workspaces and remote workers.

    So, is the word ‘office’ losing its relevance?

    Not necessarily. While the traditional notion of an office may no longer be relevant for some people, the word itself is still widely used and understood. In fact, it’s often used as shorthand for the workplace, in general. When someone says they’re going to the office, they could be referring to a physical location, but they could also be referring to a virtual workspace or even just their own home office.

    “By changing the nomenclature and using new words, companies can create a new sense of vibrancy and positivity in their ecosystem. For instance, a few years ago, companies replaced the word ‘department’ with ‘function’ to remove the cold and impersonal connotations associated with the former”

    Praveen Purohit, deputy CHRO, Vedanta Resources

    According to Praveen Purohit, deputy CHRO, Vedanta Resources, as the world progresses and becomes more dynamic, many organisations are adopting hybrid ecosystems to increase creativity and keep their workforce motivated. Young professionals coming from new-age schools and universities want to work in an environment that allows them to experiment and innovate.

    “By changing the nomenclature and using new words, companies can create a new sense of vibrancy and positivity in their ecosystem. For instance, a few years ago, companies replaced the word ‘department’ with ‘function’ to remove the cold and impersonal connotations associated with the former,” explains Purohit.

    In Purohit’s opinion, moving away from traditional words such as ‘office’ and towards terms such as ‘innovation centre’ or ‘learning centre’ can have significant positive effects on businesses. It can increase motivation, creativity and positivity among the workforce, leading to better productivity and performance.

    Another reason is that the word ‘office’ carries with it a sense of formality and rigidity. This is particularly true in today’s fast-paced business environment, where collaboration and flexibility are the keys to success. Since ‘office’ as a term may no longer be seen as a place where people can be creative and innovative, terms such as ‘experience centre’ or ‘collaborative centre’ are becoming more popular.

    Additionally, the word ‘office’ may no longer accurately reflect the modern workplace, which is often more fluid and dynamic than traditional office environments. Companies today are looking for more flexible and agile workspaces that can adapt to the changing needs of their employees and their business.

    According to Ramesh Shankar, senior HR professional and chief joy officer, Hrishti.com, the word ‘office’ has been a cornerstone of the traditional business world for many years. It has provided a sense of structure and stability, especially in developing countries where physical spaces play a vital role in business operations.

    “The term ‘office’ may have served its purpose in the past, but as we move towards a more dynamic and flexible work culture, new and innovative names such as ‘collaborative centre’ or ‘experience centre’ may better reflect the evolving nature of work and business”

    Ramesh Shankar, senior HR professional and chief joy officer, Hrishti.com

    “The changing business landscape has made it necessary for companies to adapt and evolve their workplace environments to attract and retain young talent. Young professionals today are looking for workspaces that offer more than just a place to work. They want to be part of a community that fosters creativity, innovation and collaboration. Thus, businesses are moving towards more dynamic and flexible workplaces that provide their employees with a range of amenities and services that promote work-life balance,” shares Shankar.

    He says that the COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the shift towards flexible work arrangements, making it imperative for businesses to provide their employees with workspaces that are not limited by geography. Shankar believes that in this context, the concept of a physical office is being redefined to include virtual offices and co-working spaces that allow employees to work from anywhere in the world.

    Overall, it is essential for businesses to recognise the changing needs and expectations of their employees and adapt their workplace environments accordingly.

    “The term ‘office’ may have served its purpose in the past, but as we move towards a more dynamic and flexible work culture, new and innovative names such as ‘collaborative centre’ or ‘experience centre’ may better reflect the evolving nature of work and business,” concludes Shankar.

    While the traditional notion of an office may no longer be relevant for some people, the word itself is still an important one that carries a lot of meaning. The concept of an office is still relevant for many people, and the word continues to be widely used and understood. While the way we work may be changing, the manner in which the word ‘office’ is used is likely to remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.

    innovation centre office Praveen Purohit Ramesh S Shankar
    Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
    Saheba Khatun | HRKatha
    • Website

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    nineteen − seven =

    Related Posts

    The quiet commute: How a digital detox is reshaping work-life balance

    May 16, 2025

    “Dark factories still a decade away from disrupting India’s employment market,” Sushil Baveja, CHRO, Jindal Stainless

    May 15, 2025

    How Pramerica Life builds an ethical culture that works

    May 15, 2025

    Red flags in job applications: What candidates miss but recruiters spot

    May 14, 2025
    EDITOR'S PICKS

    The quiet commute: How a digital detox is reshaping work-life balance

    May 16, 2025

    “Dark factories still a decade away from disrupting India’s employment market,” Sushil Baveja, CHRO, Jindal Stainless

    May 15, 2025

    How Pramerica Life builds an ethical culture that works

    May 15, 2025

    Red flags in job applications: What candidates miss but recruiters spot

    May 14, 2025
    Latest Post

    Maxme launches human skills programmes to future-proof India’s workforce

    News May 16, 2025

    As India ramps up efforts to prepare its workforce for a rapidly-evolving professional landscape, the…

    Aviation Ministry introduces transition plan for Celebi’s 10,000 employees

    News May 16, 2025

    The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated a comprehensive transition plan to ensure that approximately…

    SC orders West Bengal to pay 25% DA to state employees

    News May 16, 2025

    In a significant development, the Supreme Court has directed the West Bengal government to pay…

    Andhra Pradesh govt eases employee transfer ban till 2 June

    News May 16, 2025

    The State government of Andhra Pradesh has announced a temporary relaxation of the ban on…

    Asia's No.1 HR Platform

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn WhatsApp Bluesky
    • Our Story
    • Partner with us
    • Career
    • Reach Us
    • Exclusive Features
    • Cover Story
    • Editorial
    • Dive into the Future of Work: Download HRForecast 2024 Now!
    © 2025 HRKatha.com
    • Disclaimer
    • Refunds & Cancellation Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.