The office revolution - top five most important factors for an office in 2022
The needs of the modern office are constantly changing, but never more so than they have been since the pandemic. Whilst many modern companies were already adapting to work from home structures, a spate of Covid-19 lockdowns forced almost all office-based businesses to catch up with the trend.
From hybrid working to flexi-time, companies in a post-pandemic landscape will need to adapt to the new needs of the workforce. Not just for employee satisfaction and retention, but so that their brick and mortar offices can be best aligned for the needs of the business and its workers. These are the top five factors that office-based businesses should be considering in 2022.
- Hybrid working
Hybrid working, where employees can work from home and from the office throughout the week, will have an impact on the office experience in terms of team bonding, organising meetings, and communication.
For some businesses, setting the days that the team works from home or the office will alleviate any confusion about when and where employees are working. For more flexible businesses, this may be less of a concern.
A study has shown that two in five employers plan to embrace hybrid working. Of course, many businesses have always required workers to be on-site and this new way of working won’t be possible. But for those who can, it can be an opportunity to downsize and save on both rental costs and energy usage. The extent of this downsize still remains to be seen and will likely not fully materialise until existing leases reach their renewal date or even a break option.
- Net zero
As companies work towards net zero in their wider business practices, 2022 is the year to implement measures in your office space. New energy standards are being proposed which will more closely scrutinise ‘base building’ energy consumption. Splitting base building and tenant consumption accurately, however, is complex and both landlords and occupiers should be mindful of the operational carbon emissions attributed to the demises within office buildings.
There is a marked shortage of ‘green’ office space outside of London, which will be the downfall of some companies that are otherwise on their way to meeting their sustainability pledges. This confirms the need for more office buildings in the UK to be built using low carbon materials and with a plan to keep energy usage low throughout operation, as well as retrofitting existing buildings with green technologies.
The Cabinet Office recently published guidance that will help Government offices work towards the 2050 net zero targets, and they include some useful advice that most businesses might be able to apply to their own workspaces. The Net Zero Estate Playbook advises using solar panels, LED lighting, and greener, low carbon building materials. Electric vehicle charging points for staff will also be made available at some sites.
- Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
With Covid-19 restrictions lifted and UK offices seeing the highest levels of workers in offices since March 2020, overall Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), which includes air quality as well as lighting, smell, noise and other factors, is a more prevalent issue than ever. Whilst the supply of clean, conditioned air has always been a prime objective in offices, it’s now a priority topic that is at the front of people’s minds. In fact, a Honeywell survey has shown that 72% of the global workforce worries about the quality of the air in their office buildings.
Improved IEQ can lead not only to increased productivity but also to a more satisfied workforce that feels safer and understands that their employer prioritises their wellbeing. 90% of the Honeywell survey respondents said that they would want to be actively informed about the air quality in their buildings; however, only 15% receive regular updates. Businesses and Facilities Managers could grasp these statistics as an opportunity to build the trust of workers who might be feeling hesitant about a return to the office.
IEQ also extends to cleanliness, so ensuring that buildings have an optimum cleaning schedule to lower the risk of infection may be key to ensuring a smooth transition to office based working.
- Compliance health and safety
Reduced occupancy rates may be caused by Covid, but health and safety compliance goes far beyond the new regulations it has spawned. Laws are changing around building health and safety, and property owners and managers should be ahead of the curve when it comes to ensuring their occupants are safe as and when they return to the office.
Health and Safety Executive have recently published a toolkit to guide businesses through these new regulations. It includes the key information that building managers will need to inspect their buildings and ensure it is meeting all legal safety requirements. Building safety reforms might seem like no-brainers, but if they’re overlooked or carried out carelessly, they could present yet another barrier preventing the workforce from returning to offices.
- Data
One of the best ways to ensure that your office is safe, contributing to your business’ net green targets and adaptable to the office revolution is by gathering data about how it operates. Smart technologies are available that can be easily retrofitted into older buildings to track energy usage, monitor facilities, and respond to faults and tenant requests quickly and easily. It would be wrong to assume that only large ‘trophy’ assets are in a position to meet the new requirements.
Of the positives to come out of the pandemic, the rise in PropTech is an obvious one. For commercial buildings, it is especially useful as it can reduce management paperwork, improve security, and streamline operations. It also provides better insights into the overall running of your building, which is likely to attract new and prospective tenants, especially those who have policies of their own and wish to be in a building with high ESG credentials.
Here at Demand Logic, we provide a Building Analytics solution, helping buildings to optimise their performance, save energy, and cut maintenance costs all while prioritising the comfort of workers and tenants. If you would like to find out more, contact the Demand Logic team by emailing info@demandlogic.co.uk or calling +44 20 7193 4212.
