After the pandemic, bringing employees back to the office has become one of the most pressing questions. The only organisations truly succeeding today are those willing to listen to how employees actually want to work – and what they need to do that. Not in the past or “how it has always been done”, but here and now.

Much of the groundwork has already been done by the research institute Gensler, which surveyed thousands of employees around the world to find out how working life has changed after the pandemic. This article provides an overview of the key findings and offers ideas on how to turn those insights into real, tangible improvements in the workplace.

Noise is still the main concern 

Gensler’s study showed that, although satisfaction with the work environment has been steadily increasing since the pandemic, the problems that were highlighted long ago have largely remained the same. Employers are on the right track, yet there is still no such thing as a problem-free office. The most frequently mentioned issue remains disturbing noise. Noise is not a problem for only 11% of employees – a shockingly small number. 

Fortunately, these problems can be solved. By keeping quiet work areas physically separate from zones for socialisation and teamwork, everyone can find a place that supports the task at hand. In smaller offices, phone booths can already make a noticeable difference. Furniture that improves room acoustics also helps. See more examples of such solutions towards the end of this article.

Problem no. 2: lack of space

The proportion of employees who can choose where they carry out different tasks has been growing rapidly – whereas ten years ago most felt they had no choice at all. But can that choice be made based purely on personal preference? Unfortunately not.

Areas intended to support productivity are of limited benefit when there are so few that they are difficult to access. This is why availability needs to be thought through carefully. Because preferences differ across sectors, it is worth finding out which types of work settings employees themselves would like to see more of. Diversity always helps – the more varied the work environments, the better. 

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Making the workday an experience

Gensler’s 2025 survey involved nearly 17,000 respondents from 15 countries. Among other things, they were asked what their dream work environment would look like – and only 14% said it would resemble a traditional corporate-style office. This means that all the rest desire something different: environments offering greater flexibility and more varied experiences. 

Striving towards a dream work environment is not merely a pleasant extra for employees – it’s the only viable path forward. Beyond helping to attract new talent, it also supports retaining them. A workplace that enables self-fulfilment, fosters meaningful relationships, and feels like somewhere people are genuinely happy to come to on a Monday morning – rather than feeling obliged to – nurtures loyalty and commitment. It’s a true win-win situation for both employees and employer.

More nature and comfort 

Gensler asked respondents to describe their ideal work environment. Alongside the traditional office, they mentioned: 

• proximity to nature – the opportunity to work outside (e.g., on a terrace or on an outdoor area), or indoors under similar conditions with plenty of natural light and fresh air;
• flexible and creative collaboration areas – spaces that can be reshaped as needed and are designed for teamwork;
• spaces that feel homely – where cosiness, comfort, and a relaxed atmosphere go hand in hand. 

It is worth noting that preferences varied by sector, yet surprisingly, they remained largely consistent across age groups. Whether employees were mostly young, middle-aged, older, or represented several generations together, expectations were broadly aligned. 

An office, yes – but what else?

The employer’s role in enhancing the workplace experience is to complement work and meeting rooms with additional areas where employees can enjoy different experiences. Which types of spaces did employees value most, according to the survey?

• Spaces for recovery and relaxation, where it is possible to clear the mind after focused effort.
• Areas for working together, as teamwork strengthens relationships and creates a sense of moving towards a shared goal.
• Food halls and dining areas, as these are spaces where colleagues can socialise. The more multifunctional an office café is, the easier it is to use it for informal gatherings too. Shared events are part of the work experience.

When employees were asked how much their opinions were considered during the office design process, only one-fifth felt involved. This is a clear opportunity for companies – and a chance to stand out positively. 

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