Capital One has released the results of its third Work Environment Survey. Capital One surveyed full-time office professionals for their thoughts and attitudes towards workplace design and experience, and how those elements impact their productivity, ability to collaborate, and overall well-being.
The Survey found that employees deeply value flexibility & adaptability when it comes to their workspaces and schedules, and that top talent are increasingly expecting employers to foster and encourage mental and physical well-being in the workplace.
"Professionals today increasingly expect employers to examine the bigger picture of workplace design and their overall experience at the office," said Stefanie Spurlin, Vice President, Workplace Solutions at Capital One. "The findings of the 2019 Work Environment Survey indicate that it's critical to remain adaptable when it comes to designing workspaces and amenities. Dynamic and adaptable spaces that not only accommodate various work styles but also foster employee well-being give companies an edge when it comes to helping people achieve better work-life integration that ultimately enables them to create better products and services for customers."
download: Capital One 2019 Work Environment Survey Results.pdf (2MB)
Workplace design forms a basis for success
Those surveyed acknowledged a strong correlation on the impact of thoughtful office design on their success in the workplace: 90% of office professionals agree that they perform their jobs better in well-designed workspaces. What does a well-designed workplace look like? Design elements like natural light and adaptable spaces are key, as is flexibility. 71% of employees agree it's important for their company's workplace design to be flexible and 73% say they can work better when they have access to flexible furniture arrangements, like alternative desks.
Adaptability and flexibility
Data also revealed that companies must remain adaptable in their approach to workplace design to satisfy employees' changing preferences. 77% of respondents agree they perform better at work when they have spaces for collaboration in the workplace, and 88% say that space for focused, heads-down work helps them perform better. Employees also define flexibility in terms of where and when they work. The top two perks that professionals expect from the next company they work for are flexible hours (61%) and the ability to work remotely (54%).
Supporting mental health and well-being
Nearly all professionals surveyed agree that it's important for companies to create programs and spaces that support their employees' mental health and well-being (87%). How can companies achieve that? Professionals cite flexible work schedules (67%); access to natural light (53%); and quiet spaces (42%) as mental health and well-being resources that would improve their satisfaction at work. Also, 89% say they can work better when they have spaces in the office to take a break throughout the day.
Photo: Connie Zhou, Courtesy of Capital One