12 Powerful Advantages of Working in An Office Space

The pandemic ushered in a new era of remote work, leaving many office spaces empty for half a week or more.

But as the dust settles, millions of UK employees return to their workplaces due to company policies and a personal desire for a full-time office experience.

In 2022, 72% of UK workers expressed reluctance over returning to office working. And yet, in the two years since, the amount of people working exclusively from the office has remained steady between 30-60% on any given week, illustrating that flexible working office spaces and hybrid models are here to stay.

If you remain unconvinced by the power of in-office working, then this piece will highlight the 12 most compelling reasons why a physical workspace.

Related: Working from Home vs Office - Pros and Cons to Consider

1. Enhanced Productivity and Focus

As a designated working environment, most modern office spaces have been designed with productivity in mind. This makes them the perfect places for focused work, especially compared to home offices filled with endless distractions.

Strategically planned to minimise distractions and cultivate a professional atmosphere, the humble office allows employees to concentrate on the task at hand, increasing their output.

This includes features such as noise insulation, adequate lighting, and temperature control settings permanently fixed at optimal levels.

Ergonomic furniture and open-plan offices also play a role in boosting productivity, providing physical support that reduces pain and fatigue over a prolonged time.

Unless you’re willing to spend a lot of time and money creating a productive home office, the typical office environment will greatly boost your productivity than working from home.

2. Improved Collaboration and Teamwork

Even with the rise of Zoom, Slack or Teams, no screen can replace in-person meetings for building relationships and working as a team.

UK workers agree that barriers to working with colleagues are cited as the major drawback of remote work in multiple surveys.

The physical workplace continues to be crucial for bringing people together, which not only results in a greater sense of team spirit but also increases morale and job satisfaction. 

It’s in our human nature to collaborate and form relationships with those working towards a common goal, which a physical workplace facilitates.

And this isn’t going unnoticed.

One feature of the post-pandemic office floor plan is the introduction of collaboration spaces. These nimble breakout zones are designed to strengthen teamwork and allow employees to share ideas and develop new innovations.

You can’t get that whilst working remotely.

3. Networking and Career Advancement Opportunities

Working in an office environment can increase an individual's visibility within their organization, giving them an advantage in career growth over their home-working teammates.

Not only do in-office workers gain greater exposure to new opportunities and projects within the business, they are also more likely to be approached for promotions by their managers. 

This phenomenon is just a part of the broader presenteeism culture, which continues to influence overall workforce trends.

In Unispace’s ‘The Reluctant Returner’ Country Report, 80% of UK employers agreed that prolonged working from home will reduce employee carer prospects.

Additionally, frequent office attendance also enables networking with old and new employees, that’s greatly beneficial for career development.

4. Structured Routine and Work-Life Balance

Office working offers a structured daily routine in ways that remote working doesn't.

As tempting as working from the lounge room may be, the inherent structure that are fundamental in office spaces promotes regular work hours and better time management.

By having set office working hours, individuals can separate their work and personal lives easier, giving them an ideal work-life balance.

Maintaining a regular routine not only benefits your career but also in the rest of your life. From decreased stress levels, to improved sleep and physical health, individuals enjoy a more fulfilling quality of life. 

5. Access to Resources and Technology

Unless you’ve spent thousands of pounds on office equipment, chances are you don’t have everything you need to work from home full-time.

Offices provide readily available access to all sorts of tools, from everyday necessities like printers and high-speed internet to more specialised equipment.

Not only is this easy access essential for getting tasks done, but also streamlines your workflow to boost productivity.

Access to meeting rooms, quiet zones and collaboration spaces is also important for team and client relations, allowing employees to develop relationships face-to-face that remote working can’t substitute.

Additionally, office environments also offer onsite support for resource and technology issues. This can include a formal resources like an IT team or less formal ones like friends willing to help you fix problems on the spot.

No need to wait 2 hours when there are colleagues right there to help you when you’re accidentally locked out of Power BI.

6. Learning and Development Opportunities

Offices often provide a more structured and comprehensive approach to learning and development compared to working from home.

Whether this is in-person training programs or workshops, a physical workspace can create a dedicated learning environment and face-to-face interactions. These direct conversations results in a more effective transfer of knowledge, making it far more advantageous than online learning.

Besides formalised professional learning sessions, office spaces facilitate spontaneous development. This can either come in the form of observing those around you or asking a colleague to teach you something new.

An added bonus of in office learning is that you gain immediate access to feedback, which is essential for long-term skill building.

Whether structured or passive, learning and development opportunities in the office space are pivotal for retaining talent and keeping employees engaged.

7. Company Culture and Belonging

Office spaces play a crucial role in fostering a strong company culture, even more so now than ever before.

In the last year or so since UK employees started flocking back to the office, businesses have seen a renewed sense of community amongst their teams.

Rather than the Zoom meet-ups that became commonplace, office gatherings foster a stronger company culture development.

The benefits of fostering a positive company culture include an increase in employee morale, deepening professional relationships, and bonding over shared values.

It also builds a sense of belonging that can create a more enjoyable, fulfilling, and successful work environment for employees. 

No matter what industry you’re in, feeling a part of a close-knit team makes for a much better work life.

8. Motivation and Inspiration

Are you one of those people who can only work if others around you are?

It turns out that this is quite actually quite common, and one of the major reasons why offices are as productive as they are.

Being surrounded by your team all working side by side not only motivates us to get more done, it also contributes to a dynamic environment.

This creates a positive feedback loop, with more people getting their work done, inspiring others to match their energy and keep up with the task at hand.

Plus, being in the office is proven to also enhances creativity, leading to new solutions and exciting possibilities.

9. Enhanced Communication and Clarity

Let’s face it, almost all of us have had some form of miscommunication with a coworker over email or text.

Whether our email was worded too directly or if mistaking the meaning of your manager’s ‘thumbs up’ reaction, miscommunication is inevitable when you’re not in the office.

Working together in a shared office space removes most communication barriers, keeping you and your team on the same page at all times.

This is especially important when an urgent task or emergency pops up as you can dissect the problem right then and there and solving the problem in a shorter time span.

Occupying the same workspace is also advantageous when you have questions or are unsure of the correct course of action. Asking questions with your team or clarifying information eliminates errors and ensures better performance outcomes.

10. Client and Stakeholder Impressions

A well-designed, fully occupied office space does wonders for businesses that often host client visits or have external investors.

When desks are filled, a business enjoys a more professional brand image, trustworthiness and credibility. This in turn leads to greater opportunities for investment, and clients are more likely to work with your company on that amazing project opportunity.

Although working from home has become normal, there’s still that stigma of distracted workers doodling off attached to them, which is why a strong office presence is critical for businesses.

11. Mental Health and Well-being

Improved mental health and wellbeing has long been cited as one of the key arguments against full time working from the office. 

And whilst this was the case for many employees, the truth is more complex. 

In 2022, only 48% of UK employees felt remote working had a positive impact on their mental health, whilst 20% indicated a sharp decline in their wellbeing during work from home orders.

Working from the office, meanwhile, offers employees connections to others and access to support if need be, two factors critical in promoting a positive mental wellbeing.

In the previously mentioned “The Reluctant Returner’ Report, 70% of workers felt that their offices were designed to make them comfortable, recognising the role that the office environment plays in boosting the well-being of many people.

12. Hybrid Working Arrangement Flexibility

With all these impressive benefits of working from the office, it’s no wonder why thousands of UK businesses have adopted hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

They appeal to businesses and employees alike, who want a professional environment but also the flexibility remote work is known for.

Office working and remote working can complement each other in a hybrid work arrangement, giving employees the best of both worlds.

But how can this be done without companies spending thousands on space they don’t fully occupy?

This is where flexible office spaces come in. These workspace options combine the best aspects of office-based and remote work, as companies and freelancers can rent out office space on a monthly, short-term basis.

Hybrid arrangements can create a more productive, engaging, and satisfying work experience for employees, and when you switch to a flexible workspace, your company’s ability to support this increases tenfold.

Looking to get back into the office?

While the appeal of remote and hybrid work is undeniable, the resurgence of office-based work proves that office-based work is back in fashion.

As the flexible workspace solutions experts, Servcorp provides some of the world’s finest workplace solutions, suitable for all businesses using both full time in office or hybrid working arrangements.

Servcorp’s suite of office solutions is tailored to fit your business requirements, whether you’re using the spaces one day a week or full-time. Please consult with our flexible workspace solutions experts by phone call or our online form.