Financial firms failing to get workers back in the office

A new survey has revealed that over half of those working in the financial sector are reluctant to return to the office on a regular basis.

This is despite the fact that firms within the sector are actively trying to encourage their staff to do so.

Findings from Unispace’s Returning for Good report found that 65% of professionals within the financial services and banking industries say they struggle to do their core job when in the office due to a number of distractions.

The study also found that:

• 34% prefer the privacy of their own home
• 31% feel more effective in a quieter home environment
• 24% say they’re more productive when not in the office

Unispace believes that financial services employers should consider the way they are using their available space and whether it aligns with what their workers need from the modern office, before investing in incentives that are misaligned with staff requirements or mandating returns.

Lawrence Mohiuddine, CEO EMEA at Unispace, said, “While it is positive to see financial firms looking to encourage their staff back to the office, many tactics we’re seeing do not address the root cause of the reluctance to return that prevails.

“The only way these employers will see real, lasting change in behaviour and sentiment towards being in their workspaces is by designing these areas to enable productivity and efficient work.”

“This means listening to and engaging with your staff to find out what they really want. Our data shows that professionals enjoy having privacy and being more effective in quiet areas, but they are also looking for opportunities to socialise and collaborate.

“While these sound like two disparate concepts, being flexible with your office design and creating different areas that align with these needs will help really encourage people to return on a more regular basis.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.