Research identifies the importance of the office working environment for employees.
Over the years that has been an increased emphasis on the working environment. Companies have been striving to create a setting to please their employees to improve productivity. New forms of workplace have been emerging onto the scene. There has been a particular focus on co-working. Despite being considered for freelancers, entrepreneurs and start-ups, there are aspects of co-working spaces that are being adopted in the traditional office set-up for companies to embrace.
Noting the importance of this, JLL have conducted research to understand the role of the workplace. Their report, ‘Workplace powered by Human Experience’, focuses on how businesses succeed due to their workplace experience they give to their employees. The real estate firm concluded that helping people feel good on the job is more than a ‘box-ticking’ exercise in trying to achieve work-life balance.
Dr Marie Puybaraud, global head of research at JLL Corporate Solutions, has commented, “A workplace that is powered by the human experience goes beyond a work-life balance. It drives how people feel about their place of work. How empowered, engaged and fulfilled they are, it’s the purposeful fusion of life and work based on authentic human experiences”.
Report findings
Having surveyed companies around the world in 12 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Americas, JLL were able to draw on a number of points.
- ‘Happiness at work’ is one of the key factors for a unique experience according to nearly 70 percent of those studied.
- Nearly 90 percent of participants liked the idea of someone at work whose role it is to ensure employee well-being.
- The start-up environment appeals to employees due to the entrepreneurial culture they adopt.
- Less than half of all respondents felt engaged at work citing trust and kindness as contributing factors to promoting feeling engaged.
- Only 52 percent of employees felt entirely satisfied with their current work environment.
- 42 percent stated that they would prefer open-plan offices as opposed to the traditional set up of personal desks.
- Employees strive for flexibility. Nearly half of employees want companies to give them a choice on how, when and where they work to in order to help concentration at work.
Neil Murray, EMEA CEO of corporate solutions at JLL, said, “In a world increasingly driven by data and digital innovation, the future of work is actually more about people than you might think. Organisations can no longer focus only on providing space to work; they need to create places that enable people to achieve their ambitions. Appealing to what people want can have transformational benefits to businesses.”
Bangkok office market
For Bangkok you can already see that this trend is being adhered to. Despite a healthy market that is driving low occupancy rates thanks to a lack of supply, many landlords are adopted new criteria for their office space. The FYI Centre being a good example. The slogan, ‘For your inspiration workplace, is tailored to create Working, Dwelling, Playing, Relaxing and Inspiring lifestyle’, says it all. This is a far cry from the traditional office set up and is about creating the right environment through the services it provides such as cycling storage and co-working spaces.