Conclusion

Recommendations for facilities management and workplace professionals seeking to translate the report insights into practical strategies.

Conclusion

This report, “Evolving workplaces: find your space to thrive,” has explored the significant transformation underway in the world of work, driven by the widespread adoption of hybrid models and a re-evaluation of the purpose of the physical office.

Our research, encompassing insights from almost 11,000 employees across 15 countries, alongside in-depth customer interviews, reveals a clear shift towards employee-centric workplace strategies that prioritise flexibility and experience.

In summary, the traditional view of the office as simply a place for individual work is changing, with a greater emphasis on its role as a hub for connection, collaboration and community. For organisations aiming to create workplaces where their people can truly thrive, understanding and responding to these shifting employee expectations is essential.

Below are five recommended actions for facilities management and workplace professionals seeking to translate these insights into practical strategies:

Embrace and plan for long-term hybrid work models: recognise that hybrid work is here to stay. The vast majority of employees are working from home at least some of the time and will continue to do so, however, many see the risks of doing this a lot long-term and value the importance of the office. This flexible approach means facilities management teams should develop strategies and resource allocation plans that support a fluctuating office occupancy, and design spaces that can adapt to various work styles and team needs.

Reimagine the office as a collaboration and social hub: with the impact of diminishing relationships with colleagues being the biggest concern of home working, facilities management needs to make the office environment one that promotes social interaction. This means to shift the focus from individual workstations to spaces that foster connection, collaboration and

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a sense of belonging. Invest in diverse meeting spaces, social areas and amenities that encourage interaction and knowledge sharing.

Prioritise employee experience through high-quality, tech-enabled facilities and services: recognise that employees are more likely to come to the office if the experience is compelling. Invest in and maintain high-quality facilities and services such as offering curated food experiences, comfortable and ergonomic furniture and quiet focus zones. Consider offering amenities like gyms and organised social activities.

Technology also has an important role to play in enabling a frictionless experience in the workplace, and employees are generally positive about the increasing prominence of AI.

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Prioritise and communicate sustainability initiatives: understand that sustainability is important to employees. Implement and promote sustainability initiatives such as energy-efficient buildings, waste reduction programmes and support for sustainable commuting. Communicate these efforts to enhance employee satisfaction and engagement.

Gather data and feedback regularly: utilise surveys, engagement scores and other metrics to understand employee needs and preferences regarding the workplace. This data should inform decisions about office design, services and policies, ensuring that the facilities are aligned with employee expectations and support organisational goals.