ISS Study Highlights Growing Demand for ‘Purpose-Driven’ Office Environments 

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• ISS Study Highlights Growing Demand for ‘Purpose-Driven’ Office Environments 

08 May 2025

Insights from a global survey of nearly 11,000 office workers reveal the importance of engaging office environments & “purpose-driven” experiences.

 

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Whilst the survey shows that whilst hybrid work has become the norm for most office workers worldwide, 71 per cent of employees still find the physical office important. 81 per cent of workers have a hybrid working setup, working from home one or two days per week being the most popular option (42 per cent).

99 per cent of employees surveyed said they recognise the specific advantages of working from the office, and the top three perceived advantages are: spending time with colleagues, knowledge sharing & “getting out and about”. The overall strongest motivator for office attendance is curated food experiences across the day, with a focus on breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee. 

ISS says that this recognition of the value of attending the office reflects the need for “purpose-driven” offices – places that recognise the link between wellbeing and productivity.

 

What is a ‘Purpose-Driven’ Office?

 

According to ISS, a “purpose-driven” office represents a fundamental reshaping of the workplace, to one that can compete with remote work. 

When asked to imagine their ideal workspace, over half (55 per cent) of employee responses emphasised features to drive their work productivity, such as comfortable chairs, adjustable desks, technology tools and collaboration spaces. In 25 per cent of responses, workers wanted a workspace that supports how they feel both physically and mentally.

“Today’s workforce has high expectations. And while employers cannot always accommodate every request, there is no doubt that they face an increasingly significant task in making the office worth the commute — something many see as a barrier,” said Carl-Fredrik Bjor, Group Commercial & Revenue Officer at ISS.

“Once again, it is a matter of understanding what drives motivation and engagement among your own employees. Sometimes, it can be the smaller workplace experiences that enhance people’s wellbeing and sense of belonging. The universal principle is that when people thrive, the business thrives.”

Picture: a photograph of four people gathered around a desk, chatting and smiling. One person is typing on a laptop. Image Credit: ISS

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 08 May 2025

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