According to the 2018 Work Environment Survey of 3,500 office-based respondents in urban centres, many value flexibility and workplace design, particularly when evaluating whether to stay at their current job or consider a new employment opportunity.
Employees also place a great deal of focus on technology, design elements such as lighting and agile workspaces, and personal wellbeing.
Flexibility is crucial
Professionals increasingly want to work at companies that accommodate a variety of work styles with flexible design, workspaces and hours. In fact, 85% of office professionals surveyed believe flexible workplace design is important, 83% said they have their best ideas when working in flexible space options. Flexible schedules also prove to be crucial to talent attraction and retention with 73% of workers stating a flexible schedule is in their top two reasons to stay with a company – flexible hours was the number one thing workers cited when asked what they expect from their next employer.
Tech expectations
Employee expectations are high across the board and technology is no exception. 85% say it’s important that their next employer be an early adopter of technology, quick to invest in and implement new tech.
Office design drives innovation: For the second year in a row, the majority of office professionals believe companies can’t encourage innovation unless their workplace environment is innovative. Those at an executive level feel even more strongly about this, with 87% agreeing office design is key to encouraging innovation.
Design elements
The most desired design elements for workspaces include: natural light, easily reconfigurable furniture and spaces, artwork and creative imagery, collaborative spaces, and spaces for rest and relaxation.
Options impact productivity: Offering different kinds of workspaces for employees is crucial, as 80% of respondents say they are more productive when they move to a different room or environment while working.
Location
When considering a new job, 2 out of 3 full-time professionals believe that workplace design and environment is equally important or more important than office location. Executive level employees feel even more strongly about this, with more than 3 out of 4 (76%) saying workplace design is as, or more, important than location.
Info via Workplace Insight, 2018
