01.11.2024

Over 1 in 5 UK employees want breakout spaces in the office

Many UK businesses are pushing to bring employees back to the office after years of hybrid working, but this proves challenging given that remote work has become the norm. In fact, a staggering 56% of UK employees have responded to a new survey saying their current office doesn’t meet their needs. With growing discontent for traditional work spaces, how can businesses encourage their employees to return to the office?

Peldon Rose, a leader in office design and workplace strategy, has conducted a survey of 1,000 UK adults who work from the office at least one day per week, asking how they feel about office working and what employers can do to make the office more appealing.

You can view the full research here: https://www.peldonrose.com/news/the-uk-workplace-wishlist/

Over half of UK employees (56%) feel their current office doesn't meet their needs, and 61% wish for a better atmosphere

A significant 56% of UK employees feel their current office doesn’t meet their needs, and 61% wish for a better atmosphere. In fact, 56% say they would work from the office more often if the space were upgraded to better suit their preferences. These results aren’t surprising as offices were once lively spaces where employees collaborated in person and office culture was central to corporate life, and many businesses now struggle to recreate that energy in a virtual setting.

Over half (55%) of UK employees work in the office because they are required to, not because they prefer it

55% of UK employees reported that their company mandates a set number of office days per week, making it the most common reason for in-person attendance. However, only 30% of respondents believe they can improve connections with colleagues in the office, and even fewer—27%—feel more productive there.

Interestingly, only 20% of participants said they enjoy going into the office because they see their colleagues as friends, or to establish clearer work-life boundaries. Distractions at home are not a significant issue for most, with only 12% choosing the office to avoid them.

Reason for working in the office	Percentage of people who agree
Required to be in the office a set number of times a week	55%
The ability to build relationships with colleagues	30%
Feel more productive in the office	27%
Enjoy going into the office as they see colleagues as friends	20%
Going into the office helps set clearer work-life boundaries	20%

27% of UK employees say they’d like breakout spaces in their offices, and 30% would feel more comfortable if they had them available

The top desired office feature for UK employees is refreshments, such as snacks, coffee machines, and free soft drinks, with 37% saying it would boost productivity. Employees in marketing, advertising, and PR value this the most.

Many areas of the UK outside of London value car parking, with 37% of employees wanting this perk. Physical office features are also highly valued, with just under a third (31%) of employees wishing for more meeting rooms, and 38% of employees saying they don’t have these at all, despite being essential for in-person collaboration.

Plants and personal storage are also popular, with 29% and 28% of employees wanting them, respectively. Greenery boosts mood and makes office spaces a more pleasant place to be, while personal storage makes employees feel more valued—though 65% lack access to it.

Around 27% of employees desire allocated desks and breakout spaces, and 30% say they’d be more comfortable if these spaces were available. Ergonomic office setups, including second screens and comfortable chairs, are on the wishlist for 27% of employees. Other popular features include private kitchens (27%), access to a gym (25%), and outdoor working spaces (25%).

Item or feature	Percentage of people who wish they had this in their office
Refreshments, including free snacks, coffee machine and free soft drinks	37%
Car parking	37%
Meeting rooms	31%
Plants	29%
Personal storage e.g lockers, drawers	28%
Specifically allocated desks	27%
Breakout space including sofa	27%
Ergonomic office setup, including second screen, chair, keyboard and mouse	27%
Private kitchen	27%
Access to a gym	25%
Outdoor working space, i.e. rooftop or balcony	25%

With 53% of UK employees finding their current office uninspiring, Leeson Medhurst, Head of Strategy at Peldon Rose offers expert advice on how to create a more inviting workspace:

Utilise Space. “Effective office space planning is key to creating an inspiring environment. Vibrant colours, comfortable seating areas, and greenery can liven up the space. Creating areas for both collaboration and relaxation is essential.”

Boost convenience. “Personalised workspaces are crucial. Providing secure storage, ergonomic furniture, and the ability to personalise workstations can make the office more appealing.”

Ask Your Employees. “The best way to understand what will motivate employees to come into the office is to ask them directly. Gathering feedback through surveys or conversations and incorporating common themes into the office design can create a space where employees genuinely want to spend their time.”

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