Expert Warns Outdated Workspaces Are Holding Your Business Back

• Employees who are highly engaged, have strong team relationships, and work within an innovative culture experience superior work environments and outcomes. 
• Workspace design has shifted from standardized, cookie-cutter approaches to more nuanced, tailored solutions that align with the specific functional and cultural needs of different regions and industries. 
• Gensler research underscores the importance of designing adaptable and future-proof workplaces. Current trends show that only a third of workplaces have been redesigned in the past three years, revealing significant opportunities for innovation to create enriching and flexible environments that evolve with changing needs and technologies.

This article is based on the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast episode featuring Gensler’s Global Director Workplace Research Janet Pogue McLaurin. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Top-performing athletes benefit from high-quality equipment and training facilities to keep them at the top of their game. When high productivity is expected in workplaces, top performers in business similarly require optimized workplaces to excel.

Janet Pogue McLaurin, Global Director Workplace Research for Gensler, recently joined the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast to share why it’s imperative for organizations to tailor their workspaces — emphasizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is a relic of the past.

As a veteran in the field of workplace research and design who brings over four decades of expertise at Gensler to the conversation, McLaurin’s insights offer a comprehensive look into how workplaces are developing, particularly in the context of post-pandemic trends and the changing priorities of modern organizations.

Gensler’s workplace research, initially focusing on the linkage between design and business performance, has changed significantly over the past 20 years. This year, moving beyond the recurring conversations about the return to office and static metrics, the survey pivoted towards an in-depth exploration of workplace performance. 

“The key thing that we found is employees that are the most engaged, had the strongest team relationships, and worked for the companies with the strongest culture of innovation,” she said. 

The findings reveal that employees who are highly engaged, have robust team relationships, and operate within a strong culture of innovation experience superior work environments and outcomes.

The Evolution of Workspaces

She said that Gensler has observed the increasing trend towards customization in workspace design. Unlike the past, where corporate standards often dictated a cookie-cutter approach, today’s strategies are more nuanced, addressing specific functional and cultural needs of different regions and industries. 

“Space is a tool, just like technology is a tool,” McLaurin said on the podcast. 

This move towards tailored solutions helps create better alignment between the physical work environment and the unique working styles and requirements of diverse teams.

Universal Needs with Unique Solutions

Despite regional and cultural variations, some universal needs transcend these differences. Effective workplaces generally encompass areas for collaboration, individual work, learning, and social interaction. However, leading workplaces distinguish themselves by also providing environments conducive to confidential conversations, relaxation, deep concentration, and task transitions. The holistic design of these spaces supports both functionality and a better overall work experience.

Scripting the Entire Experience

McLaurin highlights the importance of considering the broader ecosystem of spaces accessible to employees, not just the immediate office environment. For large companies with expansive campuses, the ability to provide comprehensive in-house facilities enhances the overall experience. Smaller organizations, on the other hand, benefit from leveraging communal spaces such as parks, cafes, and rooftop terraces. The concept of scripting the entire experience involves seamlessly integrating these various elements to enrich the employee’s daily journey.

“We’ve shifted from thinking about how many people can you put into a space, to thinking about how to make it more effective, to now thinking about the experience,” she said.

Measuring the Impact

From a design perspective, Gensler focuses on how the physical work environment impacts people’s ability to work effectively. McLaurin explains that the firm measures various individual and organizational outcomes, including personal productivity, work-life balance, decision-making speed, and the quality of work. By asking targeted questions, Gensler gathers data on individuals’ perceptions of their work environment’s effectiveness.

Recent data reveals significant changes in how office workers are utilizing their spaces. Pre-pandemic, workers spent 67% of their week in the office, with even less time at their desks. However, post-pandemic trends show a more diversified use of workspaces. Contemporary office workers are dividing their time between multiple locations: home, third places near their homes, client sites, and even different company offices. 

Interestingly, the most innovative workers are spending twice as much time in these diverse environments compared to traditional office settings.

The Importance of Physical Presence and Social Connection

Despite the flexibility offered by remote work, physical presence in the office remains crucial. The primary reason workers return to the office is to focus on their tasks, which involves both solo and collaborative efforts. This physical interaction cultivates trust and enhances overall well-being.

“It’s really a reason to come together. That shared purpose and feeling like that sense of belonging,” McLaurin said about the office. 

However, well-being in the workplace extends beyond just the availability of a fitness center or gym membership. The pandemic has underscored the importance of addressing the holistic needs of employees, including access to natural light, indoor air quality, and connection to nature. Innovative design solutions, such as creating outdoor work areas with Wi-Fi and ensuring good indoor air quality, are increasingly important.

Even small changes can significantly impact employee well-being. For instance, in addition to improving air exchange systems and creating outdoor workspaces, organizations can implement operational tweaks like shorter meeting times to allow for breaks and hydration. Adding plants, relaxation spaces, and even prayer rooms can greatly enhance employees’ sense of well-being.

Addressing Loneliness and Creating Welcoming Spaces

One of the critical issues highlighted by McLaurin is the rising trend of loneliness, particularly among remote and hybrid workers. Social connection plays a pivotal role in employee well-being, and redesigning office spaces to be more inviting and communal can help mitigate this issue. For example, transforming traditional reception areas into communal spaces where employees and guests can interact comfortably can create a sense of belonging.

Future-Proofing Workplaces

The notion that current buildings can be repurposed for future needs is a key point in McLaurin’s philosophy. Gensler’s research into “hundred-year buildings” explores how spaces can morph and change over time to meet evolving needs. The shift from real estate metrics to people metrics is fundamental in creating workplaces that focus on the employee experience rather than just occupancy rates.

“The workplace of the future is always out there, and cities need to evolve. The workplace needs to evolve because we as people are evolving and how we work, and the technology and the tools we use are evolving,” she said during our podcast conversation. 

McLaurin notes a significant finding from recent research: only a third of workplaces have been redesigned in the last three years, with even lower numbers in the United States. This highlights a substantial opportunity for innovation and redesign in creating spaces that are not only functional but also enriching and adaptable to future needs.

Clearly, Gensler’s global workplace survey provides valuable insights into how workplace design profoundly influences employee engagement, performance, and organizational success. As businesses thrive for success, prioritizing customized, well-equipped, and holistic work environments will be necessary in designing a culture of innovation and achieving sustained excellence. 

By embracing these insights, organizations can better support their top performers, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and stronger business outcomes — an endeavor that Gensler has been pioneering for over two decades.