Capital One’s San Francisco office.Courtesy Capital One
Capital One, the financial tech services company, recently released its 2017 Work Environment Survey. The company asked 2,500 full-time office professionals—500 in each of the five cities where Capital One maintains a major office: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.—about what workplace features were most important to them and if their current office accommodated their preferred workstyle.
Some of the findings validate what most architects and designers think about office design—82% of office professionals believe that companies cannot encourage innovation unless their workplace design and environment are innovative. The surveyors also stated that professionals—especially millennials—want flexible workspaces (no surprise here).
In asking people what design elements mattered the most in their workplace, the survey found that having elements such as natural light, artwork, creative imagery and easily reconfigurable furniture and space were most important to employees. Other factors, such as having collaborative spaces, bold colors, and spaces for rest and relaxation were also key.
The survey did have some interesting insights: respondents said they would most like to have on-site health food and beverage options, even if it meant forgoing all other benefits (such as relaxation or social areas, an on-site health center, or quiet spaces). And when considering a new job, nearly two in three office professionals believe that workplace design is equally as important or more important than the workplace location (71 % of Millenials are more likely to believe this than Boomers).
Other important insights were localized—each of the five city markets surveyed had different needs. Here are some other highlights:
80% of San Francisco and Bay Area professionals believe that companies cannot encourage innovation unless their workplace environment supports it. While most SF professionals believe that the best ideas happen when they’re able to use flexible workspace options, more than a third of them don’t have access to options and space outside of a standard desk setup. (Seen here: Capital One's San Francisco office.)
Courtesy Capital One
80% of San Francisco and Bay Area professionals believe that companies cannot encourage innovation unless their workplace environment supports it. While most SF professionals believe that the best ideas happen when they’re able to use flexible workspace options, more than a third of them don’t have access to options and space outside of a standard desk setup. (Seen here: Capital One's San Francisco office.)
Approximately 85% of Chicagoans feel it is important for a company’s workplace design to be flexible. More than two-thirds of Chicagoans surveyed also believe that their local Chicago culture and the city’s diverse perspectives aren’t reflected in workplace design. (Seen here: Capital One's Chicago office.)
Courtesy Capital One
Approximately 85% of Chicagoans feel it is important for a company’s workplace design to be flexible. More than two-thirds of Chicagoans surveyed also believe that their local Chicago culture and the city’s diverse perspectives aren’t reflected in workplace design. (Seen here: Capital One's Chicago office.)
As top workplace benefits, most Washington professionals are looking for flexible hours (67%), the ability to work remotely (57%), and having on-site fitness centers (32%). (Seen here: Capital One's Washington, D.C. office.)
Courtesy Capital One
As top workplace benefits, most Washington professionals are looking for flexible hours (67%), the ability to work remotely (57%), and having on-site fitness centers (32%). (Seen here: Capital One's Washington, D.C. office.)
In New York, two in three professionals think workplace design is equally or more important than location and they crave innovation in the workplace. New Yorkers reported that they can work an average of just five hours per workday in the same space before they become less productive and creative. (Seen here: Capital One's New York office.)
Courtesy Capital One
In New York, two in three professionals think workplace design is equally or more important than location and they crave innovation in the workplace. New Yorkers reported that they can work an average of just five hours per workday in the same space before they become less productive and creative. (Seen here: Capital One's New York office.)
As a hub of business growth and fresh talent, the Dallas market believes that design and flexibility play a huge role in creativity in innovation in the workplace, with more than 80% of Dallas office professionals having their best ideas when they’re working in flexible spaces. For the Dallas employees who feel their workplace design is uninspiring, 66% do not have options to work outside of a standard desk set up. (Seen here: Capital One's Dallas office.)
Courtesy Capital One
As a hub of business growth and fresh talent, the Dallas market believes that design and flexibility play a huge role in creativity in innovation in the workplace, with more than 80% of Dallas office professionals having their best ideas when they’re working in flexible spaces. For the Dallas employees who feel their workplace design is uninspiring, 66% do not have options to work outside of a standard desk set up. (Seen here: Capital One's Dallas office.)
