How workplace design drives productivity
| Date | 14 October 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-10-2019-170 |
| Pages | 237-238 |
| Published date | 14 October 2019 |
| Author | Phil Sugden |
| Subject Matter | Hr & organizational behaviour,Employee behaviour |
Strategic commentary
How workplace design drives productivity
Phil Sugden
The workspace of today has
evolved far beyond the
conventional office portrayed
in popular culture, which typically
comprises sterile white cubiclesand
grey carpet tiles. What has remained
the same, however, is thedesire to
use the space to encourage
productivity among employees.
Employee habits are changing,
including the way they work and
collaborate. With productivitylevels in
offices across the UK falling to an all-
time low[1], it is now essential for
businesses to create a workspace
that fosters productivity and
collaboration among its employees.
By 2020, the global workforce is
expected to be dominated by
millennials (22-37 years old) (35 per
cent) and Generation X (38-53years
old) (35 per cent), with baby boomers
(54-72years old) accounting for 6
per cent. With this in mind, designing
workspaces to meet the needs of all
generations of the workforce can be
challenging, costly and time-
consuming.
Phil Sugden, Director at Flexible
Workspace Expert, Portal, explores
the ways HR professionals can
design their workspace to boost
productivity and attract talent,while
also keeping costs to a minimum.
Avoid dangerous assumptions
Attitudes towards work–life balance
have shifted considerably over the
past decade. While the assumption
may be that millennials and
Generation Z employees’ value
work–life balance, most research
suggests 94 per cent of baby
boomers also want a flexible work
schedule that provides quality of
life[2].
Whether a business is expanding,
refurbishing an existing office or
relocating, flexibility must be built
into the heart of every workspace.
While the assumption may be that
trends like hot desking embrace
flexibility, research has shown that
the lack of ownership of a space can
make employees feel less valued as
a result[3].
One size fits no one
To create a productive and
successful workplace, officedesign
must move beyond generalisations
and recognise that one size doesnot
fit all. Designing an office to promote
optimum efficiency is about creating
the space and work environmentthat
incorporates the right tools neededto
meet the unique needs of your
organisation.
As a result, businesses relocating
offices to accommodate their design
requirements should take into
consideration how each of their
employees approach their work.
Today’s employees are used to
working in a variety of different
spaces to suit their task. In settings
where a combination of individualand
collaborative work is required,
activity-based working can provide
far greater flexibility, while increasing
productivity and collaboration.
Phil Sugden is Director based at
Portal, Birmingham, UK.
DOI 10.1108/SHR-10-2019-170 VOL. 18 NO. 5 2019, pp. 237-238, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1475-4398 jSTRATEGIC HR REVIEW jPAGE 237
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