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Gensler's US Workplace Survey 2020 says 61% of workers prefer assigned seats (i.e. not to share desks) over greater flexibility.
https://www.gensler.com/research-insight/gensler-research-institute/us-workplace-survey-2020-summer-fall
I fear this conclusion will ripple through the #CRE industry, so I am saying right now: this point does not matter.
A thread.
https://www.gensler.com/research-insight/gensler-research-institute/us-workplace-survey-2020-summer-fall
I fear this conclusion will ripple through the #CRE industry, so I am saying right now: this point does not matter.
A thread.
[1/10] For years, company executives who believed that their offices were full every day have been surprised to find (via utilizations studies or sensors) that this is not at all the case.
As a result, desk sharing programs were born. Many have been extremely successful.
As a result, desk sharing programs were born. Many have been extremely successful.
[2/10] Desk sharing programs often boost group engagement and productivity because projects will invest in amenities and collaborative spaces over individual desks.
Most complaints are about focus and individual productivity barriers, like time to find/setup a desk each day.
Most complaints are about focus and individual productivity barriers, like time to find/setup a desk each day.
[3/10] Desk sharing programs take advantage of the fact that everyone isn't around every day.
Pre-COVID, some staff might have worked remotely, but remote work at scale was rarely part of the program. Most managers still associated office presence with productivity.
Pre-COVID, some staff might have worked remotely, but remote work at scale was rarely part of the program. Most managers still associated office presence with productivity.
[4/10] Cue COVID-19.
CEOs everywhere quickly realize that their companies, shockingly, have been succeeding despite everyone working remotely.
"Gee," they think to themselves, "Maybe I don't need all of this real estate in the long term."
CEOs everywhere quickly realize that their companies, shockingly, have been succeeding despite everyone working remotely.
"Gee," they think to themselves, "Maybe I don't need all of this real estate in the long term."
[5/10] Mountains of reports come out showing that individual productivity is actually going *up* for many employees working remotely.
Free from the distractions of the office, the commute, and the time required to set up and break down every day, we simply get more work done.
Free from the distractions of the office, the commute, and the time required to set up and break down every day, we simply get more work done.
[6/10] That said, the same reports confirm we dearly miss being together, and that working remotely fails to meet expectations for many group-oriented activities, e.g. learning, mentoring, brainstorming, connecting with others, etc.
So the future office must be for us, not me.
So the future office must be for us, not me.
[7/10] While the masses fall for "Is the office dead!?!" clickbait, management consultants are reminding CEOs that automation / robotics and digital / agile transformation are still a thing.
The nature of work has changed. We are not going back.
The nature of work has changed. We are not going back.
[8/10] So maybe Bob in Accounting thinks "I'd still like an assigned office, please."
But the CEO thinks Accounting (1) is doing fine remotely and (2) may be largely replaced by software one day.
So I bet the CEO will not care one bit how many people prefer assigned desks.
But the CEO thinks Accounting (1) is doing fine remotely and (2) may be largely replaced by software one day.
So I bet the CEO will not care one bit how many people prefer assigned desks.
[9/10] This is not to say the CEO doesn't care what current and prospective employees think.
It's just that [paraphrasing @drorpoleg] CEOs would prefer to spend $15,000/year directly on Bob's experience and productivity rather than maintaining his assigned seat in an office.
It's just that [paraphrasing @drorpoleg] CEOs would prefer to spend $15,000/year directly on Bob's experience and productivity rather than maintaining his assigned seat in an office.
[10/10] There will be significant change management and cultural transformation required to bring employees and executives on the journey the future of work and the workplace.
I just don't want "desk sharing" to be the new "open office" distraction along the way.
Agreed?
I just don't want "desk sharing" to be the new "open office" distraction along the way.
Agreed?
