‘Dutch occupiers generally satisfied with their workplace, but stronger demand for concentration areas’

International real estate advisor  Savills surveyed over 500 office workers in the Netherlands and this resulted in some interesting findings concerning the preferred office location and the importance of certain facilities in and around the office. When searching for the optimal location and choosing for the optimal design, do take the conclusions of this research into account.

Over the past years city centres have become the preferred office location for more and more companies, driving vacancy down in these areas. Feedback from office workers supports this trend as by far the largest group of all respondents (37%) want to work just there. This percentage is even higher among younger employees. Notably, people currently working in business parks, often monofunctional and located at the city edges, would like to make the move to a livelier, more central location. The ideal location is multifunctional and provides easy access to stores for daily shopping, but is also located in the vicinity of a park to do some lunch break strolling.

Not surprising in the Netherlands, the preference to go to the office by bike is high (37%). Currently just 24% use this means of transport, which provides for a strong incentive for employers to cater to this need and opt for a bike friendly location.

Once within the office an interesting contrast appears. While the major reasons to go to work concern collaboration and interaction with colleagues, the preference for open floor plans is very limited. While currently 34% of the respondents works in an open floor plans, just 15% actually prefer this setting. At the same time, a striking 33% of the office workers prefers the more traditional 1-2 person rooms.

Additionally, phone booths and quiet rooms are the two office facilities deemed most important. This brings to mind an image of open floor spaces filled with distractions and office workers not able to fully concentrate on their tasks. Office concepts have to be designed in such a way as to provide for interaction as well as seclusion and give the employees the option to choose the best spot to get the task at hand done. Savills foresees future versions of the What Workers Want report to show a strong growth of these activity based office designs.

Erik Beekman, associate director Tenant Representation Savills Netherlands:

"There is no 'one-size-fits-all" solution for an optimal housing strategy. On the contrary, creating an optimal working environment requires a deep understanding of the business and the occupiers. On average, a central and vibrant location is favorite among the occupiers, but we measured clear differences between different age groups and between different sectors."

Els van Bronckhorst, associate director Occupier Services Savills Netherlands:

"The What Workers Want report provides insight into what office users need and expect from their working environment. We see that employees find adequate telephone and quiet rooms of great importance, and enjoy working in a room with only a few other colleagues. It is important that employees have access to areas like these and that these spaces are of high quality, considering the workers themselves indicate that the workplace definitely affects their wellbeing. "

Jeroen Jansen, associate director Research Savills Netherlands:

"Listening to employees with regard to housing is not only a noble pursuit, it is also in the interest of the employer. This report can help employers optimize the work environment and improve employee satisfaction. Although the research shows that most employees in the Netherlands are satisfied with their workplace, there are important mismatches found between what employees want and what they have right now. "

Read the full report here.