How to Turn an OK Day in the Office into a Brilliant Day.

by Andrew Peers

Date

May 9 2023

Read length

3 min

Faced with increasing choices about how, when and where we work, it’s become crucial for employers to curate the sort of experiences that employees want, as well as need, in order for them to thrive. But how can employers be sure they’re creating a brilliant day for their people, rather than merely an ok one? And how do you keep your employees wanting to come back?

The answer lies in the data-driven insights of our recent study of more than 1,000 UK workers. All packaged up in The Workplace Oooh report, the findings highlight the overarching task of the modern workplace – that is to offer experiences.

84% of the employees we asked want the office to be home to experiences, rather than just being a place to complete tasks. That is they’re looking for the workplace to be a desirable destination not just a building. We call this The Destination Office.

As part of The Workplace Oooh report we asked employees to choose the five things that would make an ok day in the office turn into a brilliant one and this is what they told us:

34% of employees want visiting the office to give them chance to spend time with and have a laugh with work friends – which shows that the office can’t be all work and no play. The desire for social connection is important to employees and it should be for business too, as those with friends at work are typically more hardworking and loyal.
31% want to be able to enjoy free food and drink after work. This supports this need for greater social connection and is perhaps also an indication that employees expect employers to offer extra ‘outside of work’ experiences too.
30% want more feedback from colleagues. This reflects the all-important human need for connection and suggests there is no substitute for the learning and relationships that come from time spent face to face, rather than via technology. 23% also want to learn a new skill at work, so workplaces need to help with training and development too. This could be simply sitting next to a more experienced colleague, or by accessing more formal learning support.
26% want to work in person with their team. After the forced isolation of recent years, employees want to work with colleagues and peers in a very literal sense. The workplace needs to bring people together and offer ‘in person’ experiences – whether that’s for team meetings, department socials, company gatherings or lunchtime activities.
23% said the ability to improve their wellbeing with access to activities such a yoga or counselling would make a brilliant day. 23% also want to spend more time outside, be that on a roof terrace, or in an office garden. Employers need to recognise that employee wellbeing isn’t just about keeping employees healthy and productive, but also making them feel happy, valued and supported.
22% said that access to great food and drink during work hours would help to create a brilliant day. In the midst of a cost of living crisis could this be a nod to people’s individual struggles? Or simply recognition that employees want to feel looked after by their employers?
Perhaps one of our favourite statistics is that 21% of people said an ok day could be turned into a brilliant one if they occupied more inspiring surroundings. When employees choose to visit an office they want the experience to be memorable, which means giving them office interiors with the spaces, facilities and feelings they need to do well, plus a positive workplace culture. Offices that have been designed to support how work is done, while also catering for people’s wider wellbeing, social and relaxation needs can help to get the very best out of people.
Finally 16% of employees said that taking part in company-wide activities would make a brilliant day. While this reiterates the need for social connection, it also highlights employees’ desire to feel connected to their employers’ goals and be part of something bigger. Creating flexible spaces to accommodate companywide gatherings and socials is a great way to achieve this.

Sarah Syson, Head of Design concludes: “In a choice-rich world there’s no point leaving employees’ office experiences to chance. Knowing what your employees want means you can respond with the right office interior design and workplace culture. This will ensure that workplace experiences not only support people doing their best work, but that they also leave them feeling positive, refreshed, valued and motivated.

“Once you know what would turn an ok day into a brilliant day and how to give your office ‘The Workplace Oooh’, you’d be very remis not to act on it.”

To read Claremont’s The Workplace Oooh Report visit https://claremontgi.com/the-workplace-oooh/