Virtual Reality Could One Day Improve the Work Environment

Abdallah Fadel is the director of new ventures and technology solutions for Herman Miller, a leading office furniture design company based in Michigan. With over 17 years of diverse experience in finance, strategy, product development, and commercialization, Abdallah Fadel is uniquely equipped to develop new technology-based products that can be utilized in the work environment.

The benefits of virtual reality extend far beyond the entertainment realm. In addition to being utilized in education, real estate, travel, and medicine, VR capabilities are being explored for their potential use in the workplace. 

The benefits of telecommuting are undeniable. Employees frequently report improved morale and productivity and fewer sick days. Similarly, telecommuters benefit employers by lowering the need for expensive real estate and reducing turnover. Telecommuting can also negatively impact a company’s culture, however. The likelihood of chance meetings and random conversations that inspire innovation are eliminated when employees work remotely, diminishing the potential for a truly collaborative, team-based environment. 

Virtual reality may help employers eliminate any negative impact of telecommuting without calling everyone back to a five day work week in a central brick and mortar location. With the help of virtual reality glasses, employees would be able to access their cloud-based files and preferences. At the same time, they would be able to gather with colleagues in meeting spaces for formal or informal collaboration, shared presentations, and video conferencing, while instantly sharing documents and data. 

Today, virtual reality for the office space remains in its early phases. With advances in facial recognition software however, interactions will become more personalized and realistic. The potential for virtual reality in the workplace is still being explored.