Workplace on top.

Why is Leesman the world’s best accolade for workplace design and how is it relevant to employers?

Unlike many other professions where the line between success and unsuccess is clear – think of the seconds that differentiate gold and silver medalists at an Olympic sprint or the number of records sold to go platinum – absolutes in design are rare. The Leesman Index’s high caliber is owed to the fact that it is measured via employee feedback, making it one of the few accolades that measures how a workplace directly supports the business and its workers straight from the source.

Ranking highly in the Leesman Index means that the end user is happy, healthy, comfortable and productive at work – speaking volumes about how the design is supporting employee performance while increasing the output for the business. Leesman also continued their research in 2020/21’s working from home surge with their Home Working Survey, meaning they have amassed significant data, and remain relevant in today’s market as a source of information on what employees need to perform at their best regardless of location.

What are employers looking for in their ‘return to work’ workplaces?

The secret to a successful workplace lies in an alignment between workplace culture and purpose. The physical workplace remains relevant, but its ultimate success relies on quality and a leaning deeper into the reasons why an employee chooses to come into the office instead of staying at home.

Research from Leesman shows that employees who return to the office are doing so for informal interaction, to learn from others and to host meetings. This is the ‘soft power of place’ – a phrase we use to describe the office as a place to develop ‘soft skills’ like interpersonal abilities, communication, time management, problem solving and situational awareness.  The office of the future will play a major role in facilitating these cultural connections.

The recognition of the ‘soft power of place’ means that quality of space, measured by its ability to facilitate connection and reinforce positive company culture, is what is beckoning employees back. Access to technology, the buzz of the office and the diversity of accessible spaces are key drawcards for those considering the commute.

Clients like BHP, CBA and Goodman, who have embedded the priorities of wellness and employee health into the design of their physical workplaces, have seen a healthy influx of workers returning to the office. Our spaces for these clients share features like yoga rooms, an abundance of plants, biodiversity, diversity of space, choice of space and a relaxed approach to where and how their employees work.

What would a workplace need to top this list in 2022?

Stacking up in this new era of workplace design requires flexibility in combination with a capacity to curate the workplace to align with the needs of its users. To top the list in 2022, designers will have needed to have worked with their clients to craft an exceptional and holistic employee and customer experience. This feat will require a diverse and quality workspace with exceptional service and intuitive technology that allows hybrid work to be integrated, efficient yet personal.