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The Problem with Workspaces—And How to Solve It
Three goals drive today’s workplace strategy, according to Cushman & Wakefield:
- Cost reduction and real estate optimization
- In-office attendance improvement
- Experience and engagement improvement
Here’s the problem. “Too often, organizations prioritize the first two, while underinvesting in the third,” according to a recently released Cushman & Wakefield report, “Reimagining Workplaces.” The result is continued low engagement and office utilization, with “only about 60% of employees saying the office supports its primary purpose of fostering collaboration and connection,” the report noted.
The Causes
The report’s authors stated that the strategy goals are sound, but they’re hindered by “internal missteps that keep organizations from achieving them.” One reason is that organizations are more focused on cost-driven or tactical fixes that don’t support goals.
Furthermore, with performance measured by an in-office presence or utilization, “office attendance becomes a proxy for performance,” the report said. “This is an outdated model that reinforces short-term, space-based metrics.” The result is reactive decisions focused on attendance, consolidation, and costs, versus investments in well-being, engagement, and collaboration.
Additionally, strategies in place are often inconsistent or unclear from the outset. Constantly changing approaches leads to—once again—attendance rules or incremental space reductions rather than connecting long-term strategies to business outcomes.
Finally, workplace goals don’t align with true business priorities, as “initiatives overshadowed by finance, operations or other agendas,” the report stated.
The Solutions
The Cushman & Wakefield authors suggested Experience-Based Working (EBW) as a framework to mitigate missteps. EBW versus previously used Activity-Based Working (ABW) models can shift goals from efficiency to experience.
The report pointed out that EBW isn’t one-and-done, but rather “a north star for workplace strategy.”
The results of implementation include stronger cultures, better retention and higher engagement. “When leaders shift their focus from mandates and cost-cutting to employee experience, they strengthen culture, unlock more effective use of space and build long-term resilience,” the authors added.
- ◦Development
- ◦People
