New survey reveals how important the comforts of home are in the physical office.

 

Research commissioned by OfficeMax New Zealand has highlighted the importance of comfort and its effects on the workforce in the wake of the pandemic.

 

Not surprisingly, 96 per cent of office workers said comfort in the workplace is important. 

 

Critically, 89 per cent of respondents said that being comfortable enhances their personal productivity.

 

Over half of respondents (54 per cent) stated that peace and quiet would make the workplace comfortable and 42 per cent wanted ergonomic furniture such as a desk or chair.

 

OfficeMax said it has seen a major focus over the last two years from New Zealand workplaces on areas such as soundproofing, introducing quiet/focus booths, and significant investments in technology.

 

“Businesses are beginning to understand that employees now expect to see some of the home comforts in the workplace. It can be as simple as a place for peace and quiet, clean workspaces and access to good coffee. These are obvious links to our time in lockdown,” Kevin Obern, managing director of OfficeMax New Zealand, said.

 

Over 50 per cent of those surveyed wanted to wear what they wanted, and not have to ‘dress up’ to a certain office standard

 

Around 40 per cent of respondents also felt that having the freedom to listen to the music they liked would make them feel comfortable. 

 

For more information on this subject, check out State of the Workplace research (2022) and Workplace Comfort Research (2023).