Google’s new London HQ should offer the cutting edge in working environments
A report looking at the UK working environments has shown that employees and facilities managers are moving away from the traditional office set-up, and would like outdoor meeting spaces, flexible working and on-site childcare facilities to feature in their buildings.
Exploring the link between employee happiness and productivity, the report highlights that varying temperature conditions, unnatural lighting and not enough drinking water are the biggest aspects of an office environment that affect productivity, according to UK office workers. While 71 per cent say having high-quality coffee and tea available improves their working day [hands-up here].
It’s not unusual for reports like these to throw-up favourable stats for certain elements, this report was undertaken thanks to Brita water filters – so the idea that 64 per cent of people interviewed wanted onsite filtered water is hardly a shock – but the idea of keeping your workforce healthy and hydrated is probably good advice.
One of the stand-out stats focusses on how that water reaches the parched lips of the millennial workforce – with 76 per cent suggesting that a company’s eco-credentials and environmental commitments influencing where they’d choose to work.
With 55 per cent of employers providing bottled water, rather than reusable glasses and taps, then this could perceivably work negatively for some companies – and opens up an interesting avenue for designers to potentially exploit.
“It’s widely understood that effective working spaces are integral to employee wellbeing and the overall success of a business,” said Brita’s MD Sarah Taylor.
“We embarked on this research to take a closer look at what employees want from their workplace and identify which facilities and cultural aspects will help improve their wellbeing, increase efficiency and limit distractions.”
