by Brianna Crandall — July 8, 2019 — Most employees prefer to spend some time in an office (83%) over being fully remote, according to a new survey of 503 full-time employees from Clutch, a DC-based B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm. In-office work reportedly helps remote employees collaborate with coworkers and feel included in the company’s culture.
Graphic courtesy Clutch
Bethany Babcock, owner of Foresite Commercial Real Estate, a commercial real estate brokerage firm in Texas, stated:
Most work-from-home employees I know enjoy knowing there is a spot, even if not a designated spot, for them at the office when needed. The alternative sends the message that you belong at home, not here, and this isn’t your office.
However, although most employees want at least some in-office work time, just 11% prefer to work only in-office.
Businesses need to show all employees — both remote and in-office — that they are welcome, says Clutch. This means creating an office space that allows employees to thrive.
Max Falb, a digital marketing strategist at Fueled, a mobile app design and development company, remarked:
The best offices know how to be comfortable and convenient enough where it encourages employees to be in the office during the workday rather than wanting to be at home doing work.
Employees prefer private offices, despite trend toward open floor plans
According to the report, most workers value private spaces where they can get their work done peacefully. More than half of employees (52%) say they want a private office over an open floor plan or cubicle office at work.
Offices, however, are trending toward open floor plans. This can distract and frustrate employees who prefer quiet spaces, notes the report.
Babcock continued:
The trend toward open offices continues and is in high demand in spite of employee objections. The most common complaint from open office users is frequent interruptions… If a person is in a position that requires focus, it can be irritating and counterproductive.
Businesses can solve this frustration by providing a variety of in-office spaces, according to the report.
Most offices offer different types of workspaces
Employees prefer private offices, but businesses that offer a variety of spaces to accomplish tasks enable both in-office and partially remote employees to succeed.
A full 74% of offices have personal spaces for employees, 56% have large meeting rooms, 53% have small collaborative spaces, 51% have lounges or break rooms, and 41% have quiet spaces.
Businesses should create an office with multiple types of places to work, so workers who prefer private space can get work done quietly, while workers who prefer collaboration have space where they can interact with others.
Kelsey Davis, content manager at Medicare Plan Finder, commented:
I prefer open office layouts that still have access to private spaces for meetings, phone calls, or serious projects. This creates a comfortable work environment where coworkers can socialize but also allows a bit more privacy when it’s needed.
The average worker needs to accomplish tasks that are both individual and collaborative. Offices should cater to those needs, concludes the report.
Clutch’s 2019 Commercial Real Estate Survey included 503 full-time employees across the US. To read the full What Employees Want in an Office Space report, visit the Clutch website.
