A recent survey highlights key preferences and privacy concerns among UK office workers.
- On average, UK employees prefer to work 2.25 days a week in the office.
- Privacy issues affect one in three employees when working in-office.
- Meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and social areas are highly valued by workers.
- 41% of office workers feel more productive working from home than at the office.
A survey conducted among 2,000 UK office workers reveals that employees favor working in the office for an average of 2.25 days per week. Notably, the number of days set by employers closely aligns with this preference, averaging 2.43 days. Despite this alignment, 24% of workers are still required to be in the office five days a week. This suggests some disparity in policy implementation, particularly among larger companies where 12% of employees are reluctant to attend weekly and 13% prefer not to go to the office at all.
Privacy concerns have emerged as a significant issue, affecting around 33% of the surveyed workforce. The popularity of open-plan office designs, intended to maximize space, may contribute to these concerns. The CEO of BW: Workplace Experts, Steve Elliott, notes the necessity for redesigning offices to balance open spaces with private work areas to avoid causing issues for teams.
Workspace functionality plays a crucial role in employee satisfaction. Over a third of respondents rated meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and social areas as the most valuable office spaces, highlighting a desire for collaborative environments. Additionally, 27% emphasize the importance of wellness spaces, such as exercise or meditation rooms, while 11% value access to outdoor spaces to enhance their office experience.
The survey indicates a notable trend toward remote work productivity, with 41% of office workers feeling more productive at home. In contrast, 26% claim higher productivity within the office, and 32% find it unchanged regardless of location. Commuting remains a significant deterrent, with 28% of respondents suggesting they would come into the office more frequently if travel costs were lower, while 24% cite reliability of transport as a critical factor.
The survey’s insights suggest that while returning to the office is increasing, with a rising number embracing hybrid models, businesses are challenged to make office spaces more appealing to enhance productivity. Steve Elliott emphasizes the importance of a varied office design to inspire productivity while acknowledging external factors such as commuting costs and cost of living as influencing office attendance.
The survey data highlights a substantial shift in workplace preferences, underscoring the need for businesses to adapt office environments to better accommodate employee needs.
