A recent survey of 2,000 hybrid workers in the UK has highlighted what employees desire in their ideal office environment, revealing that the pandemic has significantly shaped workplace preferences. With one in six workers still operating remotely and 28% adopting a hybrid model, many employees have reevaluated their attitudes towards office life.
The survey conducted by Instantprint indicated that over half (55%) of respondents would be more inclined to return to the office if the design and facilities better aligned with their preferences. While 15% stated that improvements to décor and amenities would not influence their decision to work on-site, a third preferred a flexible or hybrid work model.
Age demographics showed notable variations in preferences. Boomers were the least likely to be swayed by improved office conditions, with 21% saying they still wouldn’t return, while 38% preferred a hybrid approach. In contrast, 74% of Millennials indicated that a dream office setup could entice them back into the workplace.
Regionally, Belfast led with 79% of workers saying they would return if office aesthetics matched their tastes, followed by Bristol (68%) and Glasgow (62%). However, Newcastle residents showed less enthusiasm, with 26% firmly against returning.
When it comes to the most desired office features, food-related perks top the list. Free fruit emerged as the most appealing benefit, with 34% of respondents in favour, closely followed by coffee machines (33%) and free snacks (31%). Notably, 28% of workers indicated that a water cooler would make a significant difference in their decision to return to the office.
In stark contrast, only 7% expressed interest in bike storage as a preferred facility, while exercise-related features scored lower overall. Just 17% of respondents cited exercise bike desks as desirable, while under-desk treadmills and onsite gyms attracted 15% and 13%, respectively.
Location preferences also reveal a shift in attitudes, with slightly more respondents favouring rural offices (11%) over city-based locations (9%). A significant 23% highlighted a yard or garden as a desirable workplace feature, and 29% prioritised onsite parking, particularly in cities like Liverpool, where 41% expressed this preference.
Sustainability remains a key concern for many, but interestingly, a paperless office concept garnered minimal support, with only 4% considering it a top feature. Meanwhile, plants in the workplace received enthusiastic support, especially from respondents in Norwich, where nearly 40% expressed a desire for greenery.
In terms of design, the most coveted feature is a sofa or comfortable seating area (35%), followed by plants (27%) and dog-friendly elements (21%). A significant majority (98%) stated that they would not be attracted to an office lacking natural light.
To illustrate these findings, Instantprint enlisted the AI tool Midjourney to visualise the nation’s dream office, complete with ample natural light, a plethora of plants, and a friendly dog. In contrast, the depiction of the least favoured office featured darker, moodier aesthetics that might deter workers from feeling inspired.
As the landscape of work continues to evolve, these insights provide a glimpse into the features that could help bring employees back to the office, fostering a more appealing and enjoyable working environment.
