Employees 33% More Engaged When Working From Office: Steelcase

In a study conducted by Steelcase, the importance of the office as a critical component of an organisation's strategy has been highlighted. The study involved 11 countries and a diverse sample size of 4,986 participants, offering insights into the evolving needs of employees in this new reality of work. 

According to the report, while remote work and higher salaries are essential steps, they alone are insufficient to create lasting, sustainable change. Instead, leaders need to focus on the work experience and the workplace, which was found to play pivotal roles in meeting the needs of employees and building resilient organisations in times of change and uncertainty.

The study revealed that employees who enjoy working from their office are:

• 33 per cent more engaged
• 30 per cent more connected to the company's culture
• 20 per cent more productive
• 9 per cent less likely to leave their current positions.

While 87 per cent of employees spend some time working from the office, more respondents expressed a preference for working from home. The study highlights five pivotal employee needs: a sense of belonging for engagement, greater control over work arrangements for satisfaction, equal support for in-office and remote workers for productivity, comfort for well-being and addressing safety concerns for a positive work environment.

The data indicate that enhancing the office experience, shifting perceptions of those with no specific preference and winning over employees who currently prefer working from home can yield a substantial return on investment. Increased engagement, productivity, connection to the organisation and employee retention are key benefits organisations can expect from these efforts.