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
Office Buildings | Mar 5, 2015
Goettsch Partners unveils plans for dual office towers in Warsaw
The Mennica Legacy Tower development is divided into a 35-story tower located on the south east side of the site and a 10-story building on the west side.
High-rise Construction | Mar 4, 2015
Must see: Egypt planning 656-foot pyramid skyscraper in Cairo
Zayed Crystal Spark Tower will stand 200 meters tall and will be just a short distance from the pyramids of Giza.
Transit Facilities | Mar 4, 2015
5+design looks to mountains for Chinese transport hub design
The complex, Diamond Hill, will feature sloping rooflines and a mountain-like silhouette inspired by traditional Chinese landscape paintings.
Office Buildings | Mar 3, 2015
Former DuPont lab to be converted into business incubator near UPenn campus
The new Pennovation Center will provide collaborative and research spaces for educators, scientists, students, and the private sector.
Office Buildings | Mar 1, 2015
Google unveils dramatic tent-like, modular-focused plan for corporate HQ
The master plan by Bjarke Ingels and Thomas Heatherwick will wrap highly flexible office blocks in soaring translucent canopies.
Office Buildings | Feb 26, 2015
Using active design techniques to strengthen the corporate workplace and enhance employee wellness
The new Lentz Public Health Center in Nashville, Tenn., serves as a model of how those progressive and healthy changes can be made.
Sponsored | Shopping Centers | Feb 26, 2015
A color-changing gateway for Altara Center
Valspar works with developers to complete a multicolored shopping center façade in Honduras.
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2015
The importance of quiet and the consequences of distraction
Recent work style studies show that the average knowledge worker spends 25-35% of their time doing heads-down focused work. Once thrown off track, it can take some 23 minutes for a worker to return to the original task.
Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015
USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing
LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2015
Commercial real estate developers optimistic, but concerned about taxes, jobs outlook
The outlook for the commercial real estate industry remains strong despite growing concerns over sluggish job creation and higher taxes, according to a new survey of commercial real estate professionals by NAIOP.