Is The Open Office Failing Today’s Workforce?

 

Office Attendance: Preference Versus Reality

In the survey, 91% of employees said they would return to the office more often if the space better supported their needs. Yet, there’s a disconnect between attendance and employee preferences, while 59% currently work in the office full-time, only 41% said they’d prefer to. Nearly half (47%) favor a hybrid model, reflecting the growing demand for greater flexibility.

Despite this shift, the office still holds value. Around 45% of employees reported feeling more productive in the office compared to just 25% at home.

How Environment And Design Are Impacting Productivity

While open-plan office spaces may have once been seen as a solution for collaboration, the reality is they often fall short, especially when it comes to supporting creativity and productivity. Three quarters (75%) of employees said that the furniture, layout, and flexibility of their office space have a significant impact on their well-being and performance, yet fewer than one in four (24%) felt their current setup supports those outcomes. The message is clear: employees want spaces that work with, not against, how they focus and create.

Quiet zones and personalized workspace are high on the wish-list—67% said access to quiet areas is essential, while 77% value having a dedicated workspace. A further 70% of respondents believe having a designated desk with a personalized setup (rather than hot-desking) is critical to a positive office experience. For businesses looking to boost productivity, creativity, and a meaningful return to the office, designing Workspace that prioritize focus, ownership, and comfort is essential.

While the survey shows collaborative, open spaces can be positive for offices, it also suggests companies and organizations have neglected the role of quiet spaces for some time.

The Role Of Technology

Employees may be less productive at home simply because they don’t have access to the same equipment they use in the workplace. Notably, more than a third of employees (36%) only have access to a second monitor at work, highlighting the workplace’s advantage in providing specialized tech resources. Similarly, 40% of employees said they only have access to a printer in the office, compared to just 5% who have access to one exclusively at home—further reinforcing the gap in essential tools between remote and in-office setups.

Other tools, such as industry-specific equipment, are also largely office-based—58% of employees reported having access to these only in the office, compared to 4% who have access to them exclusively at home.

The Future—Flexible, Focused, And Fit For Purpose

Looking ahead, 76% of facilities managers said they expect to create more interactive and engaging office environments within the next three years. Many are also evolving how they use space—storing desk equipment, furniture, and safety supplies off-site to make room for new layouts that better suit hybrid and collaborative workstyles.

Interestingly, 48% of facilities managers expect to downsize their office during the same period. This trend may be driven by evolving workplace dynamics in the wake of the pandemic.

“Our research shows that the modern workforce wants more from their office environments,” said Phil Oram, UKI Regional Director at Crown Workspace. “Employees are looking for spaces that support both well-being and performance. Despite decades of popularity, the fully open office consistently falls short — failing to provide the quiet and personalized spaces people need to thrive.

“The future of the successful office will need to be flexible, functional, and above all, designed with people in mind,” Oram continued. “It’s time for employers to rethink their approach and take decisive steps to create Workspace that truly support their people, because when employees thrive, businesses do too.”

Read more about workplace design on Facility Executive.