One of the most important lessons that humans learn about themselves is that they cannot exist in isolation from the rest of the world. We confer a high degree of value on the society and community that we are a part of and seek a sense of belonging in the various roles and identities we assume. In this context, the results of a recent survey from Clutch, a B2B research, ratings, and reviews company shouldn’t come as a surprise. Employees, especially millennials, want to their workplace to be more community-based and also provide opportunities for them to connect. “... show that workplaces should be designed with an eye for gathering people together to create community” the results of the survey suggest.

The survey aimed to understand the pulse of the workers and their expectations from their physical office place. Over a thousand workers, part and full time, who worked at an office, were quizzed about what they value in their workplaces, and the following was established:

• 61% of the workers accorded value to an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable workspace
  
  
• 39% of those who value a comfortable workspace were of the view that a dedicated desk, office, and/or meeting space are very important
  
  
• Other factors that make a workspace appealing to employees are: proximity to home (30%), ability to change spaces (14%) and common spaces (9%)
  
  
• 14% of the workers valued a pleasant and comfortable workspace, but do not have access to one
  
  
• 53% of the respondents also found the option to flexibility to work in different locations to be valuable
  
  
• However, one in every four employees that valued workplace flexibility does not have the choice of flexible working options
  
  
• 47% of the respondents valued a workplace culture that inculcates a community atmosphere. For millennials, this figure is the highest at 55%
  
  
• Special perks (like free food) were found to be of value by 47% of the respondents, and learning opportunities by 32% of the workers
  
  
• 27% of the employees strongly agreed that the appearance, work environment, and culture of an office are major influencers in deciding if they want to work there. 51% agreed to this statement, 15% felt neutral and only 8% disagreed

In addition to analyzing the desirable features of a workplace, the report also offers expert insight, key recommendations and examples of what constitutes a valuable working space. It also explains the importance of workplace design on prospective employees, “An office that comes across as welcoming, bright, cheery, or modern is more likely to appeal to candidates than a workspace that seems dreary, closed-off, or in need of remodeling... an office with high-quality chairs, enough bathrooms, and space to hold meetings, eat, brainstorm, or focus supports workers’ comfort.”

Considering how employees spend a considerable part of their day in an office, it is important for employers to pay adequate attention to the design, comfort, and warmth of the physical structure of a workplace. While workplace design and structures continue to evolve with time, some fundamental aspects of the same have remained unchanged: comfort, well-lit and airy, spacious and of late, aesthetically pleasing. The question must not be about which office design is best suited for your organization, but regarding how can new and innovative office designs maximize collaboration and innovation while respecting and including the various ways in which individuals like to work. The survey concludes with some advice, “A clean, well-lit, and adequately-furnished space improves workers’ moods, while enough room to accomplish tasks as diverse as holding meetings and concentrating alone gives workers the physical resources they need.”

Sources:

The Future of Work: How Workspaces Are Changing to Meet Worker Needs