office matters

How Do UK Office Workers Rate Their Return to the Office?

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two cartoon figures in front of a large clipboardWe conducted a poll in May 2022 asking 450 UK office workers to express how they felt their employers had managed their return to the workplace after COVID-19 lockdowns. Limiting our pool of respondents to just UK office workers provided us with the best indication of how businesses across the country managed the extreme transition between remote and in-person working schedules, as this group was amongst the most drastically impacted by mandated isolation.

This poll found that

  • 54.5% of UK office workers found their employer’s roadmap out of lockdown to be well presented, providing clear direction
  • 27.6% of UK office workers felt they were confused by their workplace’s poorly presented roadmap out of lockdown
  • Surprisingly, 18% of respondent indicated that their employers had no plans or roadmap in place for their return to the office
  • When asked to rate their return to the office out of 5
    • 46.2% of respondents rated it 4 or higher
    • 40.7% of respondents rated it 3 or lower
    • 13.11% of respondents indicated that they hadn’t returned to the office

These results paint an interesting scenario, one in which roughly half of UK office workers are happy with their return to the office and the roadmap laid out by employers. Continue reading “How Do UK Office Workers Rate Their Return to the Office?” →

Most Desired Employee Perks for UK Office Workers (2022 Poll)

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cartoon of woman sitting at a desk smiling at her computerWe asked 450 working Britons to rank a list of ten commonly offered workplace factors and employee perks to determine post-pandemic working preferences. This poll made sure to limit selected respondents to office workers, a group whose previously stringent 9-to-5 schedules and daily working rituals were heavily impacted by COVID-19. The ultimate goal of this poll is to provide businesses across the UK with a general indication of the workplace factors and employee perks most valued after the seismic disruptions of the pandemic. Continue reading “Most Desired Employee Perks for UK Office Workers (2022 Poll)” →

55% of UK Office Workers Favour Hybrid Working, Will the Office Ever Be the Same?

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woman working at a desk with flowers and laptop on itIn May 2022, we conducted a poll of 450 office workers across the UK to determine their true working preferences. This poll was designed to inform us on a number of concepts related to the post-pandemic UK working landscape, with hybrid and various other working models receiving particular attention.

The most obvious and glaring takeaway from our poll was that more than half of respondents believe hybrid to be their ideal working arrangement. Prior to conducting this poll, we ensured that respondents were limited to individuals who had worked in an office environment prior to the pandemic, a group that we believe to be the most indicative of changing sentiments around in-person, remote, and hybrid working models. We posed many questions to these respondents regarding their pre-pandemic and post-pandemic working situations, as well as the ways in which their working preferences changed since the start of 2020. Results from related questions were seen to be in line with the 55% majority that indicated their preference for hybrid working arrangements for workers returning to the office.

To summarise relevant findings, this poll illustrated that (rounded to the nearest whole number):

  • 55% of UK office workers see the hybrid model as their ideal working arrangement
  • 20% of respondents indicated a preference for full-time remote work, highlighting that a sizeable number of UK office workers have no desire to return to their former office spaces
  • On the other hand, 15% of workers polled believe that it’s ideal to return to the office full-time. A number which, despite being lower than the desire for full-time remote work, clearly illustrates support for more traditional working models
  • The clear minority (10%) of those polled preferred to return to work in a part-time capacity. Of those who desired part-time work, there was a slight preference for purely remote (56%) when compared to purely in-person (44%) schedules

Continue reading “55% of UK Office Workers Favour Hybrid Working, Will the Office Ever Be the Same?” →

How to Deal with the Stress of Returning to the Office after a Long Layoff

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Over one year after wide-scale remote work was implemented across the UK, approximately 60% of the workforce is still working from home in either a full or part time capacity. As plans to lift all lockdown restrictions get closer, many businesses are preparing to go back to the office. However, after months working remotely, many employees and business owners are finding that the return to work can be both exciting and stressful.

Research undertaken in economies that have already returned to office-based work shows that anxiety and stress are both common reactions among office workers in the post-COVID era. In this article we’ll look at how to manage these feelings and make the return to the office as pleasant as possible. Continue reading “How to Deal with the Stress of Returning to the Office after a Long Layoff” →

10 Ways to Improve Office Morale

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Simon Sinek, a British-American motivational speaker, author, and podcaster, stated that “When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.”

This single quote encapsulates why good office morale and workplace engagement is proven to lead to better business, more positive customer and client interactions, increased productivity, higher employee retention, and an overall healthier working environment. However, ensuring that employees are excited and motivated to come to work each day can be a tough task, one that businesses across the world still struggle to achieve to this day. Here are 10 ways to improve office morale and cultivate engaged and motivated staff.

Continue reading “10 Ways to Improve Office Morale” →

Recycling Office Furniture in London

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In this day and age, it is no longer simply an option to select the green choice for disposing of our unwanted office furniture and IT equipment; it is a corporate social responsibility (CSR). We as a society have become more and more aware of the consequences of our decisions regarding the disposal of waste in our domestic and working lives and the importance of sustainability, not only environmentally but also ethically. With the proliferation of businesses, charities and social enterprises dedicated to reuse and recycling, it has never been easier to arrange for clearance of unwanted office furniture in a socially responsible way.

There are a number of organisations in London who offer a comprehensive service including a survey, quotation, clearance and recycling or reuse of office furniture and goods. Where possible, most of these companies are committed to reuse and cultivate a network of organisations, charities and car-boot and Ebay sellers to repair, re-home and distribute the goods among charities, schools and businesses. Very rarely has office furniture reached the end of its intended life span at the point of disposal, as more often than not it has simply been replaced during a refurbishment or redecoration project. Reuse is by far the most ethically and environmentally friendly approach since the process of repairing, grading and re-installing reused furniture sustains jobs and creates 1000 times fewer CO2 emissions than the manufacturing of a new item. Where it is not possible to reuse, goods are broken down into separate materials to be effectively recycled. Waste goods that are not recycled end up in landfill which may contribute to air pollution due to methane emissions and contamination of water and soil.

Below are some companies offering office clearance in London: Continue reading “Recycling Office Furniture in London” →

Innovative Meeting Spaces in London.

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London tops the list of the 25 best meeting destinations in Europe, hosting hundreds of conferences, congresses, and professional events every year. The city’s venues cater to every industry sector and accommodate meetings of all sizes, from meeting rooms for small gatherings to large venues capable of accommodating thousands of delegates. Among all this choice, we highlight some of the most innovative and unique meeting spaces in London.

1. Plexal

Plexal is an innovation centre and workspace built in 2017 to provide space for the development of cutting-edge ideas. The building is often chosen for hackathon’s, tech events, and meetups for the creative and tech sectors. Meeting space is suitable for events of up to 300 people, and stands out for the quality of its dedicated event technology. Cutting edge equipment like 3D printers come as a standard, as do large projection screens and monitors and bespoke lighting.

Another way in which Plexal stands out from other meeting venues is its indoor park. This unique space has been specifically created to host informal events, but can also double as a breakout area. Sitting is arranged in bleachers, loungers, deck chairs, even bean bags.

Continue reading “Innovative Meeting Spaces in London.” →

Do Motivational Posters actually help increase Productivity in the Workplace?

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You might find motivational posters in offices, cubicles and workplace walls. From quirky to dramatic, these posters are meant to inspire employees and encourage them to be more productive. Motivational posters also do more than just inspire. Their ultimate goal is to make employees feel interested in completing projects or achieving goals and objectives, thereby boosting productivity. That is the theory at least. But do they actually work?

Often, posters that work best are ones with interesting and thought-provoking designs. Posters that relate to your business are also typically more effective than generic ones. If you do want to have motivation posters in your workplace, you might want to ask employees to design their own as a team building exercise. Alternatively, you can ask a professional designer to create posters that align with your company’s values and branding.

In many cases, motivational posters don’t increase productivity. Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and author, notes that it really isn’t possible to know where and when these types of posters are effective. Burnett argues that the most motivated employees are the ones that feel independent and autonomous. Plastering an office with overbearing posters that supposedly inspire with motivational quotes and stirring photographs may have the opposite effect. It might make employees feel like they are being micromanaged or pestered about being more productive.

Research into how workplace posters have impacted productivity and success has been lacking, but there is some evidence the supports the argument that motivational posters may not always work. A study undertaken by Maastricht University in the Netherlands found that some motivational posters don’t resonate with audiences that are unable to relate to what is being communicated. Specifically, tales about athletes who are ready to give up but find the inner strength to succeed might inspire other exhausted athletes but have the opposite effect on those of us that aren’t athletic or people who haven’t exerted themselves in the same way or less athletic. Continue reading “Do Motivational Posters actually help increase Productivity in the Workplace?” →

Advice for Growing Businesses – Expanding Office Space Requirements

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A growing business presents both challenges and rewards. While as a business owner you are proud to see your enterprise grow, that success presents challenges of its own. A growing business needs more room for employees, storage and other space. An office needs to be able to work for you and meet your business needs. When you are hiring more staff or need more room as your operations expand, here are a few tips to help you as you outgrow your space.

Home to Offices: Making the Transition

Many small businesses start in a home office, especially if you are an owner-operator or sole trader without employees. While you have the option of signing up to a virtual office or using hot desks and other temporary office solutions, there reaches a point where you might not be taken seriously without a dedicated office space to meet with clients, customers and others.

As businesses grow, commercial premises become a necessity of doing business. There are also practical benefits of having your own office space. You can have your own address for commercial purposes, as well as dedicated phone and IT systems. You also benefit from meeting space and accommodation for your employees.

When to Make the Move

Whether you are moving from your home office or smaller business accommodation, there are a number of reasons why you might opt to upgrade your office space. Obvious signs that you should move include noticing that you are running out of space to provide services, produce your goods, or accommodate your staff, customers and clients. You might also recognise the need for better facilities, such as improved IT systems or enhanced meeting spaces. Generally, the main reasons for making a move are the lack of space to do business or you are hiring more people. Continue reading “Advice for Growing Businesses – Expanding Office Space Requirements” →

Social Media and the Workplace

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Social media platforms are being used by an increasing number of the population. A recent study has shown that nearly 60 per cent of the UK’s population has at least one active social account, and the average Internet user in the UK spends 2 hours a day on social media platforms. These figures show that social networks are increasingly becoming an integral part of our personal and professional lives, and this has caused concern among many employers. The use of social media in the workplace is usually frowned upon because of the generalised belief that it can damage a company’s reputation and decrease productivity. But exactly how much truth is there to that belief?

Social Media in the Workplace: Myths and Facts

A Microsoft study published in 2013 revealed that contrary to what most managers believe, the use of social media at work can actually increase productivity. The 2-year study pointed out that in the not-so-distant past, many managers believed that the use of e-mail at work was also a distraction and a drag on productivity, but as time went by companies have come to rely on this form of digital communication as an integral part of their business routine. Could the same happen with social media? According to the study, it is already happening. One of the key findings had to do with how employees use social media. While management assumed that they were using it for personal reasons, the study found that nearly half of all employees surveyed were in fact using social media as a teamwork and collaboration tool.

Another Microsoft survey studied the behaviour of nearly 10,000 employees in 32 countries and found that 50 per cent were using social media to share and review work-related documents, 47 per cent to communicate with clients, and 31 per cent were doing so to promote work-related initiatives and programmes. Overall, more than 50 per cent of employees aged between 18 and 44 claimed that using social media had helped them become more productive. It’s interesting to note that productivity increases were highly dependent on industry sector, with media, publishing, hospitality, and IT being the most likely to benefit, and government, financial services, and retail the least likely. Continue reading “Social Media and the Workplace” →