10 statistics that will change the way you think about workplace design

Although the coronavirus pandemic has put a spanner in the works, the overwhelming data suggests that employees are simply more productive in the office than they are at home. 

When you are able to safely welcome your staffers back to the office in the coming months, having the right office design could be the key to increasing both employee morale and productivity, as these eye-opening workplace design statistics demonstrate below… 

More than half of workers spend most of their time away from the desk

According to Global Workplace Analytics, 55% of workers spend more time away from their desk than they do at it. What does this tell us? That employees love to interact with other workers, and that productivity shouldn’t be centred around a two-metre cubicle. You should be encouraging workers to interact with one another, host meetings, and collaborate on projects – that’s where the real magic happens, and when workers perform at their best.

40% of office space is vacant at any given time

The Occupancy Benchmarking Report found in 2017 that as much as 40% of an office can be empty at any one given time, demonstrating the value of hot-desking. Removing barriers can make workplaces more engaging and community-focused, and offering a blended work environment where staff can work from home or from a seat in the office gives them added flexibility. You don’t need an office for 200 if there’s only going to be 50 people there at once.

Most people aren’t engaged or satisfied with their workplace

A Steelcase Global Report found that just 13% of the global workforce is highly engaged and highly satisfied with their workplace. We can’t all work in Google’s office, but there are lots of things that you can do to make your working environment more welcoming. Adding plants, offering more breakout areas, and thinking strategically about lighting is the key to satisfying. 

See also: Workplace design and other ideas for increasing productivity in the office 

Happy employees don’t go sick

One survey by the iOpener Institute for People and Performance found happy employees take ten times fewer sick days and stay in their role for twice as long than those who aren’t happy. Now is the time to speak to your staff directly about their working environment and ask them for feedback and ideas on how it can be improved. Alternatively, working with a facilities management company such as Precision FM on workplace design services could be an option to consider. The upfront investment will pay dividends in the years ahead.

77% of part-time telecommuters report being more productive

As much as the office is important, it’s vital that you encourage telecommuting, too. As the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, almost every job can be adapted and staff can work from home. By offering a flexible working environment where staff can spend some time in the office and some time in their pyjamas, you’ll not only increase productivity but also cut your office budget costs; fewer desks, less electricity, and lower overall running costs.

Poor ergonomics can cost you 

According to a report out of the United States, 34% of all lost workdays are due to a musculoskeletal injury or related illness that was due to poor ergonomics. We all understand the importance of ergonomics in the workplace – failing to adapt your business to keep your staffers healthy, comfortable, and working at their best will ultimately result in lower profits.

Office chairs cause back pain

When did you last update your office chairs? A survey from the Staples Business Resource Center found that 71% of office workers say that their chair has caused them back pain. Now is the time to make the investment in ergonomic chairs that will last you another ten years.

Slow uptake on sit-to-stand desks

When it comes to workplace design, sit-to-stand desks are all the range. We all understand the health benefits of standing whilst working, but less than 2% of workers have access to a standing desk. Adding several standing hotdesks to your premises gives your employees the option of standing when they’re tired of slouching in front of a computer screen. 

Open-plan isn’t always best

We’re increasingly being told that open-plan working environments are the best way to inspire and motivate a workforce, but that’s not necessarily the case. According to one study, workers lose over an hour a day due to distractions with the main disruption being “irrelevant speech from co-workers.” Either move people back into smaller clusters or implement a new no-chatting policy so workers can focus on their tasks. They can catch up during their lunch!

Workplace design can make workers 33% happier

A recent report found that strong office design can make staff as much as 33% happier at work – and less stressed out, too. It’s easy to see workplace design as a nice to have rather than something necessary for your business, but even the smallest of changes can have a serious impact on morale and your bottom line. From a single ergonomic chair to a full turnkey interior fit-out, you can show your teams that you truly care about their comfort.

With over 15 years of experience, the professionals at Precision Facilities Management have dealt with a large range of projects, from SMEs to large blue-chip PLCs. Click here to arrange a consultation, and check back soon for more on our facilities management blog.