Episode Transcript
Shane Radford: Hello, workplace enthusiasts! Welcome to "XY Sense's Workplace Bytes," the podcast that serves up the latest scoop on all things workplace strategy, office design and corporate real estate. I'm your host and fellow workplace data nerd Shane Radford. Today, we're digging into the hottest workplace trends for 2024. From the best designs for productivity to that ongoing tug of war between workers and companies on just how much time they should be spending in the office this year. Let's dive right in.
Shane Radford: Who doesn't love a good Buzzfeed-style list? Gensler recently dished out their 'ins' and 'outs' for the workplace in 2024, and while some of the predictions had us rolling our eyes (such as r maintaining an abundance of desks, even if they're underutilized) others were on point with trends I’m seeing in our XY Sense customer community.
What’s in?
Curating Offices as a Destination
What’s Out?
Set and forget - Universal office Planning.
The workplace is getting a makeover, it’s going to be tailored to each company's unique mix of experiences. So, say goodbye to the one-size-fits-all open office.
This is probably not too surprising to hear, especially if you’ve been into the office recently and faced the barrage of noise coming from people taking zoom calls at open plan desks…
But Privacy is back in 2024
From focus rooms to libraries and quiet zones, employers and workplace designers are tackling the question of, “How do we better deliver privacy for office users in 2024?”
Open-plan desks are out; privacy is in. Will 2024 be the year of the cubicle revival? Only time will tell.
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Shane Radford: What’s topping the to-do lists for workplace leaders in 2024? According to a VTS survey, it’s boosting the productivity of workers, followed closely by increasing collaboration amongst teams - rounding out the top 3 priorities; was creating or maintaining company culture.
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Shane Radford: Hybrid, it’s a word I’m already sick of saying - but I’m confident it will still be the top buzzword for workplace teams in 2024. The CBRE Global Workplace Occupancy and Insights Report spills the beans—90% of companies globally are adopting hybrid work rules. In the US, a whopping 94% are on board, while EMEA lags behind at 71%.
The report also explores four office design models that may be coming to a floor near you : The Boulevard, The District, The Plaza, and The Park. I recommend you check out our related blog or the report itself to see the floorplan templates and the team characteristics they’re best suited to.
The takeaway from all of this? The workplace is evolving in 2024, and we are here for it.
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Shane Radford: But what about office attendance? A recent survey by Human Resources Director found that 91% of companies plan to track office attendance in 2024. Incentives abound, from happy hours to upgraded office spaces. Intriguingly enough, employees do want more office time to boost productivity, according to a Gensler survey.
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Shane Radford: As companies downsize, the CBRE US Market Outlook predicts vacancies peaking just above 19% by year-end. However, prime office spaces in great locations are still hotter than ever. Additionally, i n their spaces, workplace leaders are tackling the collaboration space "gap," with VTS reporting a shortage of meeting rooms as a top concern.
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Shane Radford: Before we wrap up, did you catch the latest edition of the XY Sense Workplace Utilization Index? Released late last year in December, the study offers valuable insights into workplace utilization trends for the US, Australia, and the UK. Don't miss out; download the complete study now. It is full of incredible information.
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Shane Radford: That's a wrap for this month's edition of "XY Sense's Workplace Bytes." I hope you enjoyed today’s workplace news deep dive. I always love diving into the data with our amazing customer community and figuring out what it all means.
Join me, Shane Radford, your guide to the world of workplace, next time for more insights and analysis. Until then, stay productive and keep your finger on the pulse of your workplace. Thanks for tuning in!
