A new research report explores the past, present, and future of the workplace and reveals how organizations are using new strategies to improve the productivity and success of employees.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) released Distributed Work Revisited: Research Report #37, which is a follow-up to its 2009 Distributed Work report. Workplace strategy and design experts HOK helped IFMA develop and analyze the survey, collect the case studies and write the report.
IFMA members from 538 different organizations worldwide—83% were from the U.S. and Canada—completed an online questionnaire about their on- and off-site workplace accommodations, operational needs, technologies, specific facilities, change management processes and measurements for success. The area occupied by participating organizations ranges from 50,000 to more than 1 million sf. Distributed Work Revisited summarizes the complete survey results and provides a detailed analysis of the findings.
The report features case studies describing innovative distributed work programs across different stages of maturity in eight organizations: Microsoft, GSK, eBay, Credit Suisse, the U.S. General Services Administration, Accenture, Rockwell Collins and the City of Calgary. Results of the study reveal some surprising details about today’s workplace. Highlights include:
• Distributed work is still a relatively new concept. Sixty-one percent of facility professionals responding to this survey reported using unassigned workspaces in their facilities. Only 18% of survey participants have had a distributed work program in place for more than 10 years and 37% for more than five years.
• One hundred percent of survey respondents who reported implementing unassigned on-site distributed work options cited work-life balance as being a “very important” reason for doing so. Other factors listed as “very important” were to accommodate changes in the organization’s size (64%), leverage new technology (62%), increased productivity (60%), align with organizational goals (59%), cost savings (57%), improved flexibility (56%) and benefits for employees (55%).
• Employee benefits are the major drivers for off-premise solutions, enabling organizations to improve flexibility and support work-life balance.
• Respondents reported that distributed work strategies appeal most to Generation X (aged 35-48) employees, possibly because they work more independently than other groups and are more likely to have family commitments that require flexibility in how and where they work.
• The most popular on-site distributed work settings among respondents are spaces that promote collaboration and innovation, including war/project rooms (72%), huddle rooms (70%) and open lounge/soft seating areas (67%).
• More organizations are providing incentives to employees adopting distributed work. Thirty-three percent of respondents reported that when they adopted a distributed work policy, they provided an incentive—typically technology such as a laptop or mobile device—to employees. This is up from 18% in 2009.
• More organizations are measuring the results of their distributed work programs. Almost one-third of the organizations engage their workforces in testing and carrying out distributed work settings. This is up from 19% in 2009.
• Despite the expressed importance of employee engagement and satisfaction in achieving successful distributed work programs stated in the interviews, only 45% of the respondents mentioned use of change management processes.
The complete version of Distributed Work Revisited: Research Report #37 is available for sale on IFMA’s website. Funds raised support ongoing and future research.
Related Stories
Plumbing | Mar 13, 2020
Pioneer Industries launches new website
Pioneer Industries launches new website
Architects | Mar 9, 2020
New York's façade inspection program gets an overhaul following a death from falling terra cotta
January 14, 2020, kicked off big changes to the NYC Local Law 11 Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) for Cycle 9.
Office Buildings | Mar 5, 2020
SOM design’s Disney’s New York HQ
The HQ is being built in the Hudson Square neighborhood.
Office Buildings | Mar 3, 2020
REI’s new headquarters is all about the outdoors
NBBJ designed the project.
Adaptive Reuse | Feb 25, 2020
Hastings Architecture creates its new HQ from a former Nashville Public Library building
The building was originally constructed in 1965.
Office Buildings | Feb 13, 2020
CareerBuilder’s Chicago HQ undergoes renovation
Perkins and Will designed the project.
Office Buildings | Feb 11, 2020
Want your organization to be more creative? Embrace these 4 workplace strategies
Creativity is the secret sauce in the success of every business.
Office Buildings | Feb 11, 2020
Forget Class A: The opportunity is with Class B and C office properties
There’s money to be made in rehabbing Class B and Class C office buildings, according to a new ULI report.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2020
Balancing the work-life balance
For companies experiencing rapid growth, work-life balance can be a challenge to maintain, yet it remains a vital aspect of a healthy work environment.
Sponsored | HVAC | Feb 3, 2020
Reliable Building Systems Increase Net Operating Income by Retaining Tenants
Tenants increasingly expect a well-crafted property that feels unique, authentic, and comfortable—with technologically advanced systems and spaces that optimize performance and encourage collaboration and engagement. The following guidance will help owners and property managers keep tenants happy.