What makes an office a nice place to work?
Is it your own cubicle? A load of office plants? Do workers really want the gimmicks of bean bags and free snacks?
According to a recent poll, yes, we really do.
Other things we’d like in our workplace include cats and dogs, blankets, and a cake trolley that makes its way around the desks as the afternoon slump hits.
SPANA, a company that provides veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries, surveyed 2,000 people to find out the 50 things people would like in their perfect workplace, and how UK workers would like to see their careers change.
It turns out one in six adults would like their workplace to have a gym, a third want their office to have natural light, and 12% would love if they were allowed to bring in pets.
Relaxation areas are important to lots of us, with a desire for hammocks, massage chairs, and sleep pods.
The top 50 things UK workers would want in their perfect office
- Lots of natural light
- Free fruit bowl
- A nice view from the window
- Free soft drinks
- A chair which is ergonomically set up
- Up-to-date technology
- Office plants
- Good coffee/ professional coffee machine
- Variable temperature control
- Free chocolates or biscuits
- A relaxation zone with computer games/ TV/ massage chairs
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Access to an outdoor space
- An office dog
- Rooftop garden/outdoor area for the summer
- Sofas
- Free ice cream in the summer
- Gym equipment/ workout space
- Large corner desks
- Variable lighting control
- Blankets for when you feel cold at your desk
- The option to sit or stand while working
- Foot rests
- Storage under desks for each person
- Two computer screens on your desk
- Desk screens or partitioning
- Access to a fantastic stationery cupboard
- A ‘bring your own pet’ policy
- Communal music
- A desk which is out of view from the boss
- Drawers/ personal filing system
- Personal lockers
- A ‘snug’ with hammocks to escape to for a rest
- Concentration booths/ cocoons
- A hostess trolley with cake/ afternoon tea
- Free bar for post-work drinks
- Office entertainment – e.g. pool table, table football, trampolines, ball pits
- An office cat
- Cushions
- Work zones tailored for different tasks
- Vending machines
- Meditation space
- Childcare facilities
- Showers
- Magazines and literature to read during lunch breaks
- A fish tank
- A bed/ sleep pods
- Brightly painted walls
- Art work from local artists
- Cycle parking
But before offices invest in beanbags, they should probably look at sorting out their actual working equipment first – a quarter of those surveyed said they’d be far happier if their place of work had up-to-date tech rather than years-old computers.
Brits also believe their perfect job would see them work for four days a week, for just six hours each day.
They’d earn precisely £67,813 a year, with a healthy pension, and have a 15-minute commute to the office each morning – ideally walking.
The working month would be punctuated with four working lunches, while they’d also be allowed a day-and-a-half off for golf or ‘company leisure days.’
For annual leave, we’d like 31 days a year.
While this is all very interesting for anyone planning to redecorate their office, SPANA actually conducted this survey for an unexpected but important reason: to raise awareness of the often awful working conditions for animals around the world.
Geoffrey Dennis, from SPANA, said: ‘People in Britain have a clear idea about their perfect workplace.
‘But, thankfully, most office workers are already fortunate enough to enjoy a pretty comfortable working environment, with their own chair, regular breaks and a constant supply of tea and coffee.
‘Sadly, it’s a very different story for working animals overseas.
‘These horses, donkeys, camels and elephants often endure terrible working conditions, carrying backbreaking loads in extreme temperatures and dangerous environments.
‘Daydreaming about our ideal working environment is a fun way to pass the time.
‘But, it’s important to remember that, while perhaps not luxurious, most people in the UK have workplaces that are clean, safe and comfortable – even if there’s no massage chair in sight.
‘In stark contrast, working animals and their owners in many of the world’s poorest communities face a lifetime of toil and hardship.
‘They must work day-in, day-out, with little rest and no prospect of retirement.
‘Inappropriate and ill-fitting equipment mean working animals often develop painful wounds and there is usually no veterinary care available for them when they are sick or injured.
‘This is why SPANA’s work is so important – ensuring that these hardworking animals receive the vital care they need and that their welfare is improved.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/12/cats-free-soft-drinks-among-50-things-make-perfect-office-12386855/?ITO=squid
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