Workplace Trends Shaping the Next 5 Years

The workplace has been undertaking one of the biggest shifts in decades, with hybrid working and flexible office options, along with new expectations around office wellbeing are changing the way in which people work.

The evolution is likely to continue over the coming years, with the landscape constantly evolving as employers try to grapple with the new expectations of employees. Being aware of the trends and adapting early to the changes will help your business get in a stronger position to attract the best talent and keep everyone on your team productive and motivated.

In this post we will take a look at five workplace trends that will shape the market going forward.

 

Hybrid Working Is Here to Stay 

Although it came to prominence during the pandemic, remote working is now deeply embedded in working life. Research from the Office for National Statistics shows that hybrid work has stabilised, with around 40 percent of UK workers doing some form of remote or hybrid work on a regular basis.

This shift means major changes for how companies use space. There are less businesses looking for large permanent offices, and more moving to flexible memberships and hot desking.

For coworking operators, this means demand will remain strong for workspaces that blend convenience with professional facilities.

 

Offices Will Be Rebuilt Around Collaboration 

Because employees aren’t coming in every day, when they do come in it becomes more important to get them focused on the things that matter. The office is becoming more of a place for teamwork, client meetings and culture building rather than desk work.

A recent report from Leesman, which analyses workplace performance globally, found that employees rate collaboration spaces as one of the most important factors in workplace satisfaction.

Traditional desk rows are declining, while breakout areas, project rooms and social spaces are rising. Over the next five years, offices will be judged less on size and more on the quality of experience they offer.

 

 

Flexible Workspace Demand Will Continue to Grow

According to Savills’ UK Flexible Office Space Report, 89 percent of UK occupiers expect to increase or maintain their use of flexible space in the near future. This report also highlights that many companies now view flexible workspace as a core part of their real estate strategy, not a temporary fix.

In the next five years, coworking will play a growing role in how companies scale, diversify locations and support hybrid teams.

 

Wellbeing Will Become a Standard Expectation

We’re seeing that wellbeing is becoming more of a priority for employees, especially amongst Gen Z, where they expect workplaces to be healthy and supportive – especially considering that the majority of workers may only spend a couple of days per week on site.

The sort of things they have come to expect are bright, natural light, ergonomic furniture, breakout areas, greenery and other perks. They also value social interaction and workspaces that can help encourage that.

The UK’s CIPD reports that improved wellbeing environments correlate with higher engagement and reduced absenteeism.

Coworking spaces are already known for their people focused design, and the providers that build their identity around wellbeing will match expectations of modern workers.

 

Technology Will Reshape Workspace Efficiency

Technology is set to play an even bigger role in workplace operations. Things like seamless meeting room booking and video conferencing tools, the emphasis will be on technology that supports hybrid working rather than complicating it. Businesses increasingly want work environments where connecting with colleagues feels effortless.

Coworking spaces and flexible offices are already moving in this direction. As companies refine their hybrid strategies, they’ll look for workspaces that offer intuitive, reliable tech as part of the experience, helping teams stay connected and productive wherever they are.

 

A More Flexible Workplace 

Moving forward we will see a lot of changes to the way workspaces operate, and the businesses that embrace these new changes will have a big advantage.

If you would like to find out more about how we at Squab can help you with designing your bespoke workspace be sure to get in touch with our team today.