On an average, 77% of the respondents have chosen the office as the best location for meetings (team / group / one-to-one) and group tasks and workshops. Close to 81% of the respondents also felt that the office environment is best suited for group work / tasks and client meetings. On the other hand, reading documents (69%) and individual routine tasks (61%) were best completed at home, according to the respondents.

Company culture and team spirit (92%), networking (81%), mentoring opportunities (69%) and support from the HR and management (58%) were among the other key metrics best achieved at the office.

What about personal development and wellbeing?

Personal growth is vitally important to most workers and our survey respondents felt this is best achieved in an office environment. However, the office must provide more of the benefits of home working, such as physical health and a better work-life balance, as respondents believe these are better achieved at home.

What do employees expect from the office?

The lockdown period has given people time to consider aspects of their comfort and wellbeing that are delivered more effectively at home than in the office. The survey results clearly demonstrate that people feel their fundamental needs such as cleanliness, natural light and green space are better met at home. Developers, investors and occupiers will need to consider future design solutions that can deliver green space, natural light and fresh air as employees prioritise their health and wellbeing.

Overall, there is a growing preference for a workplace that is flexible, agile and hybrid. Companies must therefore work to create the modern office which can provide employees with different micro-environments to focus, engage and collaborate - all within the same space.