The Office Strikes Back: Workers Admit They Need Face Time to Boost Productivity

man standing in front of people sitting beside table with laptop computers — Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

The debate over remote work has been raging for years, with some CEO insisting that in-person collaboration is essential for innovation and performance, while others champion the benefits of flexibility and work-life balance. But a new report from Gensler Research Institute suggests that the majority of office workers agree with the former camp: They need to be in the office 63% of a work week to be productive.

Gensler Research Institute surveyed over 14,000 office workers , across nine countries and three continents, and found that on average, they come into their offices for 50% of their typical work week. But those workers said that in order to be productive, they’d need to bump that split up to 63%. That’s the main finding of their report about workplace, which was published in 2023.

The report reveals that worker’s preferences for in-office time vary depending on their personal and professional circumstances. Those with longer commutes or young kids are in the office least, but they told Gensler Research Institute that they actually need to be in-person most, probably owing to distractions at home. Those who live nearby the office, unsurprisingly, show up most often, though they said they’re there more than they need to be.

rectangular brown wooden table — Photo by Arlington Research on Unsplash

The report also shows that workers value the office for different reasons, such as focusing on work, socializing with colleagues, accessing technology, and sitting with their team. These factors are consistent across different generations, from Gen Z to baby boomers. The report suggests that employers should design their offices to accommodate these diverse needs and preferences, and offer more choice and flexibility to their workers.

But the report warns against mandating a one-size-fits-all approach to office work, as workers have different expectations and desires. The report suggests that somewhere between 58% and 68% of the week in-person is the sweet spot for most workers. The report advises employers to listen to their workers and tailor their policies accordingly.

The report concludes that the office is not only important for building relationships, but also for driving business outcomes, such as productivity, work quality, and awareness of critical information. The report claims that great design leads to great business performance, and urges employers to rethink their office spaces in light of the changing needs and preferences of their workers.