Given the research which now shows that the workplace can affect staff health and well-being it’s little wonder that many people, with job offer choices, very often look at office culture / office environment and office design alongside the usual incentives like hours, growth opportunities, who they will be working with, company history and stability before deciding which job is right for them.
Is Your London or Kent Office Design Letting You Down?
There have been a number of surveys which show that job seekers are turning down jobs if they did not like a business’s office or working environment.
In a previous article looking at whether Kent and London office design is designed to be “people perfect” we talked about a survey by Furniture123, which asked 1,014 UK workers about how they felt about the working environment of potential employers and how it would influence their decision as to whether to accept a job with them. The survey showed that:
- 53% of office workers would refuse a job if they don’t like the office or working environment
- 41% of surveyed workers said outdated décor would put them off a job offer
- 38% would be put off by a lack of natural light
- 32% of respondents said broken or outdated furniture would also influence their decision
- 32% would understandably be put off by a dirty or unhygienic workplace.
The marketing manager of Furniture123, Mark Kelly said: “The data shows that companies need to pay attention to much more than salaries and benefits, when trying to attract top talent. The average UK worker spends 8,060 hours a year at work, so it’s understandable that the environment can be a deal maker or breaker for many. Employers looking to attract the most talented staff in their field should keep this in mind when inviting candidates to interview.
It’s not so easy to change the location of the office, however they can ensure that there are onsite catering facilities and breakout areas for lunch, and even arrange car pools or an employee bus service that connects to local transport links. Also ensuring the space is always kept clean and tidy, furniture is in good condition and the décor feels fresh and modern is a great place to start.”
Top 4 Things Employees Want
A further survey carried out in the US by Continental office and reported by HubSpot found that the top 4 things that employees want are:
- A healthy workplace
- Flexible settings and spaces
- Better communication
- The right technology
Nearly one quarter of employees stated that the physical workspace affects their decision to stay with or leave a company. Depending on job level 50 – 76% of employees said the physical space affects their decision to accept a job offer.
When it comes to the space in which staff want to work the survey showed:
- 88% value options that provide privacy
- 87% want flexible settings like workshops, meeting rooms, private spaces, social areas and more.
- 85% want settings that allow for collaboration and working together
- 82% see the need for an engaging workspace
- 80% want their space to communicate company culture and a sense of belonging
- 71% desire settings that provide fluidity so they have a choice in where they sit
One of the most interesting results was the finding of just how important the workplace environment was to employee overall happiness, on a scale of 1 to 10, on average those surveyed said it ranked 8 out of 10, with 10 being the most important.
Even Interview Space Can Impact Your Ability to Attract Employees
It’s clear that office design plays a very important role in attracting and retaining employees and can in fact be used as a recruitment tool. In fact a recent survey by YouGov of 1,000 GB-based office workers, found that 48% of those surveyed said the room they were interviewed in would influence their opinion as to whether to accept a job offer! This was even higher in:
- Medical and Health services with 69%
- Sales and Marketing 57%
- Finance and Accounting 53%
Breaking down the survey even further the percentage of those most likely to be influenced by the interview setting are:
- 54% of people born between 1981 – 1996
- 45% of people born between 1946 – 1964
- 43% of people born between 1965 – 1980
As we know, first impressions really do count and could be the difference between recruiting your next employee, finding the right employee and then keeping them.
The Cost of Recruitment
According to small business accountant, Accounts and Legal, the average employee could cost UK SMEs as much as £11,000 to replace which includes creating the job spec, screening candidates, interviewing and training.
When you think about recruitment costs alone and the importance of holding onto valued staff it’s easy to understand why it’s vitally important to recruit in and have office space that appeals to employees, engages them and provides them with flexible settings, collaborative areas and private space. Otherwise your office space may be working against you.
How We Can Help
With over 25 years experience JBH Refurbishments can provide expert advice on making the right first impression with your office design and layout. Take a look at our projects section to see the range of sectors and types of work that we carry out. Contact us on 0333 207 0339 or via our contact form to discuss your requirements.
