Since the start of the pandemic, workplace leaders have adapted and pivoted to circumstances. They’ve had to make critical decisions and plans based on limited workplace data. Today, Envoy published At Work: the 2022 workplace trends report, a comprehensive state of the physical workplace compiled and designed for workplace leaders worldwide.
At Work dives into Envoy’s proprietary platform data, analyzing millions of global workplace sign-ins as well as desks and meeting room reservations. It weaves in perspectives from 400 workplace leaders from organizations like Anheuser-Busch, Expedia, and the Oakland Athletics, who shared their take on the past year.
It also answers questions that are top of mind for workplace leaders: How did people use their office space? Where did companies spend workplace dollars? And what do those who run workplaces really think about their job and evolving role?
Here are the key takeaways:
- In 2021, a steady increase was recorded in people returning to the workplace. Workplace traffic grew 87 percent from January to November 2021. Looking at the whole year and taking into consideration holidays and Omicron, traffic was still 41 percent higher on average than it was at the beginning of 2021.
- Not only did more employees go into the office throughout the year, but there was also an increased number of repeat returns – employees who went into the office multiple times a month.
- Tuesday and Wednesday were the most popular days to work on-site. On average, nearly 60 percent of all employees came in the middle of the week.
- With the rise of hot-desking, employees planned and reserved specific desks. As the year progressed, employees were more proactive about securing a spot, reserving a desk as many as three days ahead. Of the top five teams to book desks, Engineering was number one with 25 percent of desk bookings.
- Companies are banking on new workplace investments. Most organizations (58 percent) invested more in the workplace in 2021 compared to 2020. Forty percent invested more in conferencing technology; 30 percent in visitor management solutions; and 25 percent in security technologies.
- Employee satisfaction is the measure of success for workplace leaders. Most workplace leaders (76 percent) said their job success hinged on employee satisfaction. Keeping the workplace safe (34 percent) came in second.
- The IT industry saw the highest percentage increase in workplace foot traffic at 128 percent. IT as an industry also led the pack in hot-desking with 43 percent of total desk reservations across industries for the year.
Envoy’s Chief People Officer Annette Reavis said the study answered some questions for the company, such as, “That physical workplaces matter. They’ll continue to be a place for people to meet, ideate, socialize, brainstorm, and build connections. There really is no better way to come together and get things done.”
For more insights from workplace leaders and additional data on workplace traffic, budget, and space trends, download the At Work: the 2022 workplace trends report.
For more information, please visit envoy.com.
