In Posturite’s new survey ‘The real picture of hybrid working’, participants don’t hold back on what they tolerate, detest, enjoy and appreciate about office life.
Is the chance to chat with Sam from Sales the only thing you love about working in the office? And is the commute to get there the only thing you hate about the office?
There are Returns To Office happening in certain quarters, so it’s the ideal time to look at these survey results to listen to the zeitgeist of today’s hybrid workers.
We can then respond accordingly, and act to make offices enjoyable, comfortable, inspiring and productive workplaces.
What do you like best about coming into the office or workplace?
The most popular Posturite survey answers for the most likeable aspects of office working were:
- Social interaction
- Collaboration
- Networking
- Separating home and work life
- Change of scenery
- Workspace setup and access to equipment
- Buzz and energy
- Productivity from being face-to-face
- Morale-boosting camaraderie
- Faster internet
- Heating and air conditioning
- More interesting lunch
The following comments also give a good flavour of people’s positive feelings on office working:
“It boosts my morale to have people to talk to.”
“I like being with nice, friendly hardworking people.”
“I enjoy being more active and doing more steps in an office day.”
“It’s nice to get away from being in one room.”
“I enjoy the dynamics of the team.”
“I like the opportunity to get to know colleagues beyond the superficial connections on Teams, and the forced/fake connections made in ‘getting to know you’ planned engagement sessions.”
“I like the in-person engagement, the canteen, fresh air, alone time, getting out of the house - and the photocopier.”
“I like a proper desk setup at the office, as WFH for me is very uncomfortable.”
“I appreciate the office offering more 'normality', routine and motivation.”
“I like the noise of people talking and the ease of just walking up to someone’s desk and talking to them.”
These answers came from a 2024 survey of hundreds of workers in a mix of senior and junior roles, and well balanced between public, private and voluntary sector settings.
Food was also a common theme! People love their canteen or restaurant, and specifically the chance to eat cake together.
This pharmaceutical employer seems to have nailed the office experience:
“We have a lovely office, bright and airy, good restaurant, I love seeing people and hearing the buzz when it is busy.”
What do you dislike about coming into the office or workplace?
(Apologies for the unrealistic picture of a train commuter having the chance to sit down.)
The worst aspects of office working identified in the survey were:
- Time to commute
- Cost to commute
- Interruptions and distractions
- Uncomfortable chair and desk setups
- Lack of personal space
- Organising childcare
- Noise levels
- Office politics
- Temperature control
- Waking up early
- Getting ready for the office
I sympathise with some of these office gripes!
UK employees of banks, police forces, universities, energy companies, car manufacturers, councils, FMCG brands, hospital trusts, financial service providers, pharmaceutical companies and government departments took part in this survey.
The negative comments in this survey on office working included:
“I have issues with sensory sensitivity so the office is often too overwhelmingly noisy, bright, and generally busy for me.”
“The office is too small, too loud and there’s no appropriate desks and chairs.”
“I dislike the lack of productivity, sitting in traffic for an hour before and after work, and not being as comfortable as I am at home.”
“After the effort to sort childcare, dog walkers, proper clothes and transport, you find yourself in an almost empty office talking to people in other offices via video link.”
“I dislike having to be wear business-like clothes again.”
“Commuting time is ‘dead’ time.”
“I worry about finding a suitable desk. I require a reasonable adjustment that is not always possible.”
Some strong anti-office feelings
7% of these office life survey participants could actually find nothing whatsoever that they liked about coming to the office. Wow.
The majority have mixed feelings.
This NHS employee had pretty strong views:
“What do I like? The chance to sit in a broken-down unhygienic chair, catch COVID, drink cheap powder coffee, share bathrooms, drive for long periods, spend money on fuel... Sorry what was the question?”
Another public sector worker sadly answered:
“I have poor mental health from bullying so working from home is the safest and best option for me. It means I get loads done without continual interruption.”
Pro-office feedback on getting tasks done effectively
On the flipside, interesting points were made in the survey about how the office environment can help us to be productive on certain tasks:
“At the office I gain a better understanding of issues arising. When you're at home, you’re too distant to pick up on these issues.”
“When working face to face, I have more effective meetings. This is key for my role.”
“The opportunity to learn from other colleagues through spontaneous conversations is good at the office.”
“At the office I’m able to ask quick questions. It is easier to work when we are all together.”
“If I need something in a hurry, catching up with colleagues face to face is ideal. Doing it remotely is not always the best option.”
“I like the efficiency and speed at getting things done at the office.”
What can managers do with these insights about office working?
There are issues raised by employees here which no companies will be able to respond to. But many that they can.
Being sensitive to individual’s sensory needs is perfectly possible. Take care to provide reasonable adjustments where needed by neurodiverse colleagues and other individuals.
Better designing, planning and structuring of the office environment and your teams’ tasks is achievable. Get a good Furniture Projects team on-board and a good ergonomic equipment supplier.
Communicate more effectively with your employees about the potential value of office working – and ensure managers set a good example.
Never underestimate the draw of good office air-conditioning in July!
If all else fails, maybe we all just need to aspire to work for one of the country’s best-known botanical gardens; because in the survey one of their employees said:
“I dislike nothing about the office – I love my job and being on site.”
This is Part 2 of the results of the Posturite ‘Real Picture of Hybrid Working’ Survey.
Next read Part 1, which reveals how widespread ‘Hushed Hybrid’ and unauthorised remote working is.
