Key employees lost and recruitment hindered
According to a recent study conducted by Unispace, a global office design consultancy, employers worldwide are facing the loss of valuable employees and recruitment difficulties as a result of enforced office returns and mandates.
The research, which involved a survey of 9,500 employees and 6,650 employers across 17 countries, revealed that out of the 72% of companies globally that have mandated office returns, 42% are experiencing higher than expected employee attrition, while 29% are struggling with recruitment efforts.
Comparing the current sentiments to 2021, the study found that employees are now less hesitant to return to the office, with 51% expressing reluctance, compared to 64% previously. Employers also displayed higher levels of confidence in carrying out talent attraction activities in the office, particularly for recruitment (89% compared to 73%) and training new staff (84% compared to 70%) as opposed to remote work.
The research conducted by Unispace also highlighted that 84% of respondents believed that working exclusively from home would limit their career prospects.
A significant majority of business leaders (75%) reported expanding their real estate portfolios in the last two years, with the Asia Pacific region showing the highest growth rates. This expansion includes adopting talent attraction strategies and revenue-generating trends such as incorporating hospitality spaces in 44% of companies.
Distractions in the office were cited by 58% of workers as hindering their ability to perform their core tasks effectively. On the other hand, 83% of employers believe that the office environment is conducive to employee productivity.
Employees emphasized the importance of productivity and personal space, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of privacy compared to their home environments (31%), the preference for a quiet setting away from the office to enhance effectiveness (27%), and the perception of being more productive at home (23%). In contrast, employers identified commuting as the primary obstacle in getting employees back to the workplace.
Steve Quick, Global CEO of Unispace, acknowledged the evolving work habits of employees in today’s rapidly changing work environment. He emphasized the significance of employers understanding their employees’ needs and values in order to redefine the purpose and effectiveness of office spaces. Quick noted that this understanding would contribute to a strong corporate culture, brand, employee loyalty, well-being, and talent retention.
