* 80% of Regus survey respondents prefer working in partially enclosed workstations *
Latest research by Regus, the flexible workspace provider has revealed that workers globally regard partially enclosed workstations as the ideal spot for concentration (80%). It follows that three quarters (74%) confirm this is also the most productive setting for work.
In order to discover what type of space workers find most stimulating, Regus commissioned research canvassing over 20,000 business people globally and found that partially enclosed desks are leaders in productivity, while fully enclosed offices are the best design to protect worker’s privacy (63%). Open plan offices were seen as ideal for fostering communication among departments (70%).
Other key findings:
Partially enclosed workstations are also more quiet than open plan offices with only 29% saying that they find them noisy compared with 78% for open plan spaces;
In spite of this, open plan spaces are key to fostering cooperation (65%);
When working remotely, out of the main office, business lounges are seen as delivering the best of both worlds promoting both productivity (58%) and networking (55%).
Katerina Manou, Regus Area Director for Balkans and Cyprus, comments, “Contemporary workers have several design options available to them when it comes to desk space. Gone are the days of enclosed offices for senior staff and open plan reception areas, now it is much more common to find workers from different departments and functions sharing open spaces, but what is the impact on productivity and concentration?
“It’s hardly surprising to find that business people regard noisy open spaces as less productive, but it is interesting to find that their preference is actually for a ‘golden mean’: the partially enclosed office space that allows them to benefit from the collaborative environment of open space offices without their thoughts being drowned out by background noise. When out of the office, workers confirm this preference, avoiding noisy cafes and reporting that business lounges offer both productivity and networking.”
