CASE STUDY ACTIVE WORKPLACE
DESIGN FOR THE TIMES
Workplace pressures increasingly require a new approach to offi ce design. Angela Love,
Director at Active Workplace Solutions, discusses what the changing times mean for the
world of workplace design and build
The quest for workplace talent
rages on. Decision-makers
are faced with low employee
retention and productivity, driving the
need to provide an attractive workplace
that caters to a multi-generational
workforce. As businesses set their sights
and goals on Workplace 2030 and the
coming decade of change, it’s important
to consider not only how to prepare
for today’s workforce, but crucially,
tomorrow’s workplace too.
Facilities and workplace sectors are not
alone in these concerns as other industries
24 APRIL 2020
start to feel the pinch. A recent report
found that 61 per cent of engineering
businesses claimed they are ‘not confident’
there will be enough people with relevant
qualifications to fill the highly skilled job
vacancies on o er (see References, note 1).
But these pressures bring with them
opportunities for change. Businesses
hungry to succeed will proactively attempt
to tackle and embrace these opportunities.
FM providers and o ice designers have
a real chance to deliver more value, not
only to employees, but to the C-suite and
decision-makers.
THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
Over the past 20 years there has been
a real shi in the working relationship
between employer and employee. The
archaic days where employees sat at their
desks for eight hours at a time are over for
many industries. Now, it’s all about the
experience. Workplaces are expected to
be unique, dynamic, innovative spaces.
Employee satisfaction is closely linked to
the quality of their working environment –
and design is a good place to start.
However, it’s important not to impose
change. The workforce should be involved,