The Office Amenities Gap: What Employees Want versus What Corporations Offer

Corporate heads view amenities as a tool to lure employees back to the office. However, the problem is that the features implemented by companies aren’t always what the workers want.  

A report issued by MRI Software and CoreNet Global indicated that this disconnect could generate a poor workplace experience. As a result, employees could continue fighting against back-to-office mandates—or they could leave.

The Differences

MRI and CoreNet asked 200 national and international employees across various industries to rank 19 amenities in order of importance. Respondents ranked air quality as the top amenity. However, when asked about the degree to which employers were “actioning” or implementing this amenity, air quality came in second place to efficiency.

Other gaps included the following:

• Amenity-rich. While individuals ranked this as #4 on their desired list, implementation came in at #10.

• Biophilia. Individuals ranked this feature tenth on their list, while implementation was fourth.

• Living lab. This involves testing new workplace designs and configurations. Individuals put this as #12, with implementation at #16.

• Demountable designs. The implementation of moveable walls and partitions came in at #13. However, individuals asked ranked this amenity as #16.

Individual contributors said they wanted immediate benefits like air quality and mental well-being. Meanwhile, corporations and managers are focused on cost savings and the ESG mandate. In other words, the report indicated a “focus on broader, long-term organizational goals like energy efficiency, sustainability and inclusive design. “

“It’s clear that organizations are trying hard to offer attractive amenities to their employees,” said Carla Hinson, VP of North America Solutions, MRI Software, in a release announcing the report. “But these efforts will likely lose steam if organizations and employees have different perspectives on which amenities are most important.”

Bringing it Together

With the above in mind, the report suggested that business leaders take the following steps to bridge the gap between amenities desired by individuals and corporations:

• Tailor offerings. Understanding what employees want can help create and maintain a workplace that attracts talent and keeps it in place.

• Consider regional variability. Regional differences in areas like infrastructure and regulations should be considered when determining lease agreements, retrofits and new builds.

• Align stakeholders. The report suggested that the gaps between what’s desired and what’s happening be understood. Understanding individual needs and managerial priorities can lead to “a balanced workplace experience,” the report said.

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Keeping employees in the loop about amenities like energy efficiency, accessibility and well-being leads to transparency and enhances engagement.

“As we see more employers mandating full or partial return-to-office policies, it’s more important than ever to deliver a positive workplace experience that encourages productivity and collaboration for employees,” Hinson said. “That’s why we advise employers to pay close attention to amenity-related preferences that may contribute to business performance.”