I’ve always understood that businesses need to earn the commute – and that’s never been truer than it is today. In the midst of a persistent cost of living crisis, every trip into the office comes at a personal cost for employees. Commuting expenses, food and time lost to travel all adds up over the year. If we expect people to work on-site, we need to make it worth the investment.
Now with winter in full swing and Seasonal Affective Disorder impacting Australians, the challenge of encouraging employees to brave the elements and work on-site is even more pronounced. At the same time, it presents a unique opportunity for employers to create a workplace that employees genuinely enjoy coming to.
To help meet the work on-site challenge head-on, the strategies below offer practical, people-first solutions that can make the workplace more attractive and supportive during the colder months. From leading with a hospitality mindset to prioritising wellbeing and flexibility, there is a lot more that businesses can do to create environments that encourage positive workplace culture all year.
Hospitality-Frist Mindset
Creating a workplace people genuinely love starts with a hospitality-led approach. Having grown up in the hotel industry, I have always brought this mindset to how I operate a business. This means using the principles of hospitality to foster meaningful connections with our members, especially during the colder months where motivation for on-site activity can dip.
A great example of this has been the introduction of private, after-hours social events, such as RISE breakfasts to start the day and RELAX drinks and nibbles to wind down in the evening. Other examples of hospitality perks could include – free coffee in the mornings and warm food catered at lunch time. When done thoughtfully, hospitality-driven perks can be a powerful incentive to bring people back into the office and keep them coming back.
Prioritising Wellbeing
It’s no surprise that mental health challenges and rates of depression can rise in the colder months. Businesses should ensure wellbeing is at the heart of everything they do – not just in winter, but all year round. At Hub, our workspaces are designed to support work-life-balance and give people the opportunity to find moments of calm in their day.
Something that works really well for us, is having a dedicated program for wellness. Our WorkWell program is a holistic initiative that supports the professional, mental, social and physical wellbeing of our members – through a variety of services, events and thoughtfully designed spaces.
As part of this commitment, we have also partnered with Unyoked, the ultimate cabin-in-the-woods escape designed to help people disconnect and recharge. Through our partnership members get the opportunity to enjoy a free night’s stay at an Unyoked cabin. We have also integrated components of the Unyoked cabin experience into our office spaces.
Supporting Flexibility
As the colder months set in, it’s essential for businesses to support and invest in employee flexibility. This could mean introducing later start times, covering commuting costs, or even introducing a Winter Friday perk whereby employees finish up early on Friday afternoons.
Small, thoughtful initiatives like these can make a big difference. They not only encourage people to come into the office but also help prevent burnout and keep teams feeling motivated and valued.
Creating a great culture all year
While seasonal perks are a great way to boost engagement during the colder months, building a strong, positive workplace culture is a year-round effort.
In the post-COVID era building positive workplace culture has never been so hard. Many employees are more likely to spend time with friends outside of work than at workplace social events. In fact, 87%[1] say they prefer it that way. That makes it even more important for businesses to meet employees where they’re at – focusing on what really matters: financial wellbeing, mental health, flexibility, and preventing burnout.
Perks are valuable, but they work best when combined with a thoughtful approach to employee needs. A happy, engaged team isn’t just built through seasonal incentives, but consistency.
Contributed by Brad Krauskopf, CEO & Founder of Hub Australia
[1] Love Where You Work Report: Hub 2025