There is some very well-founded research by Leesman upon the people’s measurement, reaction, and needs of where they work.

The first problem is that, on Leesman’s scale of workplace, satisfaction rates for home working scores higher than the average UK office. So where is impetus to use/return to the office? This differential has been made worse because people have, post Covid, invested in their home working set up – making it even better!

Staff now will undertake a mental cost benefit analysis before working from the office, where they have discretion, which is the most common approach.

Better to encourage your people into the office rather than compel them, especially if your workplace fails to meet employee’s needs. This latter scenario will not improve innovation/productivity or recruitment/retention.

Leesman’s extensive research, has identified which aspects of the office workplace are most important. Here are some of the key components that must be invested in to maximise the office experience and staff rating.

Office advantages

• Hosting Visitors, Clients, or Customers
• Informal social interaction (how and where?)
• Learning from others (active and inactive mentoring)
• Using technical/specialist equipment or materials
• Collaborating on focussed work
• Individual focussed work away from desk
• Larger group meetings or audiences (both internal and external)
• Spreading out paper or materials
• Relaxing/taking a break.

The following are key components.

• Wi-Fi – must match or be better than at home.
• Leisure facilities on site (i.e. Gym, Showers)
• Hospitality Service (Reception, Catering, Meeting Services)
• Mail/Post room service.
• Computing equipment (fixed desktop and Laptop/Tablet)
• Guest network access
• Desk & Chair (Quality)
• Quiet rooms (for working alone or in pairs)
• Meeting Rooms/Areas (formal and informal)
• Printing copying and scanning
• Internal signage
• Desk and Meeting room, online, booking facility.
• Quality WCs maintained to high level of cleanliness.
• Offices FM run to high quality (M&E, Cleaning, Provisions)
• Audio visual facilities in meeting areas (formal and informal)
• Engaging Tea/Coffee and refreshment area(s)
• IT Helpdesk bar for technical support and equipment
• Remote access to work files and network
• Catering (Staff & Visitors)
• Parking (Car, motorbike, or cycle)

Working jargon

FLEXIBLE
When we work including days/times

HYBRID
Where we work office/home/third party office.

AGILE
How we work systems/processes.

Hybrid working, Office & Home is, by a large margin, the most adopted working approach, presently, and the only one on the increase (as opposed to Office only or Home Only).

Employees will be more willing to succumb to an organisation’s desire to see more people back working together IF the office can show how much better it can be, supporting staff’s working needs.