There’s an increased demand to create work environments that contribute positively to an individual’s well-being, according to the latest annual Workplace Report from Ted Moudis Associates (TMA). The 2019 report offers comprehensive insight into how companies today are using their office space. This fourth issue of the report helps to solidify trends that TMA has previously identified and are holding firm, while also outlining burgeoning workplace developments and delving further into the well-being of employees in work environments. The report encompasses data from more than 3.3 million square feet of workspace in the technology & digital media, professional services, consumer products, and financial sectors built throughout the U.S. over the past two years.
In just one example, the percentage of projects where every employee is given access to a standing height desk increased more than eight-fold since the firm’s first workplace report in 2016; 74% of employees represented in this year’s report are working at a sit-stand desk every day.
While the data also points to a decrease in the usable square foot (USF) per work seat, the more significant change seen this year was a greater range from the low to the high USF metrics tracked. This indicates that clients are seeking customized environments tailored to their business requirements rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
“The conversations we are having today with clients are about how we can create a flexible working environment to best suit their staff,” commented Jamie Feuerborn, Director of Workplace Strategy at TMA. “It’s about creating a space that reflects and communicates company values and is attractive to current and potential employees. However, planning a workspace is not just about data, every organization is unique in their culture and creating a workspace solution should always be carefully strategized and planned.”
TMA saw the number of employees engaging in activity-based work settings jump from 24% in 2018 to 26% in 2019. Unassigned work environments allow individuals to select a space that is best suited to them and offers organizations greater flexibility when responding to changing business needs. Activity-based workstyles accomplishes both goals while reducing the total area per occupant.
Additionally, TMA identified five workplace predictions it expects to see over the coming year:
- More holistic view to showcase company values through design, culture and policies
- More strategy-driven workplace transformations
- Increase in opportunities or well-being spaces, programs, and sensory elements
- Increase in truly flexible workplaces to support mobile employees
- More meaningful data collection methods – both quantitative and qualitative
