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<\/a>The report findings show that an employee’s career stage significantly influences their preference for in-office work. The part of the country also plays a role<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The survey found that shared spaces, high-end amenities, catered lunches and modern outdoor spaces don’t always align with features and resources that many employees value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Across generations, dedicated seats and private offices emerged as the most desired motivators, indicating a preference for productivity, efficiency and a sense of belonging\u2014even among Gen Z respondents, the most likely of all surveyed cohorts to value work\/play amenities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generation X counterparts have a stronger preference for in-office work, with Millennials (46 percent) and Generation X (49 percent) expressing interest in working in-office four to five days a week. Early-stage career employees value a hybrid environment, with 55 percent of Generation Z respondents wishing to work in the office one to three days per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, Baby Boomers had the strongest preference for remote work, representing the highest percentage of fully remote workers (19 percent) and the strongest desire for full-time remote work (23 percent).<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the report, all cohorts value shorter commutes; however, employees tend to be more idealistic than realistic. Approximately three-quarters of respondents (73 percent) say they would not consider going into the office if their commute was longer than 45 minutes roundtrip. Travel times this short are tough to find, with roundtrips averaging more than 50 minutes nationally and more than 65 minutes across the 15 largest office markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n READ ALSO<\/strong>: What\u2019s Your Wellness Action Plan?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lincoln Property Co. said there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a compelling in-office work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The best way to make smart decisions that encourage office attendance is deceptively simple: ask your employees what they value,” according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Savvy occupiers seek to understand how their employees prefer to work within the office setting and assess whether changing that environment can better support their key business objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “When considering property size and amenities, solve for the present workforce while refining your equation for the future workforce you desire,” Lincoln advises<\/a> in its report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry analysts and operators backed that up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike McDonald, senior managing director & office group leader, told Commercial Property Executive <\/em>that across the portfolio represented by JLL, there’s been a significant increase in employees returning to the office three to five days a week, with most recent employer mandates closer to four to five days a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The most valuable asset in an office building is its people,” McDonald said. “We believe that it will take two more bonus periods for employees to fully grasp the benefits of being in the office, and we are just six to nine months away from the second period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to McDonald, the balance between employers and employees is shifting, with the employer gaining more influence. \u201cOur data from leasing and management supports the claim that office occupancies are rapidly increasing, and we expect this trend to continue over the next 12 to 18 months. This shift is crucial for companies to thrive and employees to feel valued and succeed in their careers. Corporate America has sent a clear message, and the workforce embraces it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n WATCH NOW<\/strong>: Brace Yourselves for a Full Return to the Office by 2028<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Albert DePlazaola, senior principal, Strategy, Americas at Unispace Group, told CPE<\/em> that employees are feeling more productive and doing more focused work in the office this year when compared with last year, according to Unispace’s forthcoming 2024 global workplace insights survey. This underlines the importance of flexible design that caters to various working styles, from individual to collaborative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Many global employees say they are satisfied with their current working arrangement, which shows that employers are actually listening to what employees want,” DePlazaola said. “By addressing space challenges in the workplace, leaning into flexibility and meeting the modern needs of the workforce, businesses can create high-performance workplaces that make employees actually want to come into the office.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Haines, chief strategy officer for FM:Systems, told CPE<\/em> that “the companies that are winning at the’ future of work’ can deliver workplace experiences that are not only responsive to their employees’ evolving needs and preferences but also themselves and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added that the best way to achieve this involves regularly collecting cold, hard, accurate data that provides rich insights into workplace occupancy, utilization, energy consumption and occupant comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haines said an office’s location, size and design elements can also have a big impact on making it a productive and inspiring place where people want to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In May, Haines’ company relocated and downsized its dated and underutilized Raleigh FM:Systems headquarters to a mixed-use development with walkable amenities like coffee shops, restaurants, fitness studios and outdoor spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the help of Little, an architecture and design partner, and JLL project management, an office was created that was designed for flexibility. It features several collaborative spaces, including huddle rooms, conference rooms and movable furniture\u2014all of which can be reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Ultimately, the most successful workplaces are those that continuously evolve based on data-driven insights, creating high-performing offices that are healthy for the people who use them and the planet,” Haines said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n R-Zero CEO Jennifer Nuckles told CPE<\/em> that owners and operators must continue to find effective ways to improve overall building performance and incentivize employees to return to the office\u2014ideally, at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We’re seeing a flight to quality among employers today to agile workspaces that offer better and healthier environments, with employee comfort and wellness top of mind. Improving various measurements of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) contribute greatly to higher employee satisfaction and performance in the workplace,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tere Blanca, founder, chairman & CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, told CPE<\/em> there’s a continued trend of large companies relocating to top Class A office projects that offer experiences and amenities easily accessible on-site, such as tenant lounges, lobbies with cafes and ample Wi-Fi-connected seating areas, gyms with and a variety of fitness classes, on-site and nearby restaurants and in-demand childcare facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This motivates employees to return to the office. Employees appreciate the ability to walk to quality restaurants during lunch breaks, have convenient access to coffee or snacks throughout the day, and even enjoy shopping or fitness facilities within their office building,” she said. “When companies offer these conveniences and comfort, workers are more inclined to work in-person, allowing them to focus on what truly matters\u2014collaboration and delivering their best work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pierre Debbas, Esq., co-founder of Romer Debbas LLP, told CPE<\/em> that remote work has declined over the past year, “but the hybrid model is here to stay. Employees enjoy flexibility, but the socialization component, collaboration, training and company culture are all compromised in a predominant remote workforce. Luckily, the workforce is finally coming to realize this which is helping increase office attendance.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>
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\n\n\n\n<\/a>People are a company’s most valuable asset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nAttention to environmental issues makes a difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Workers thrive through socialization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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