Slow or outdated technology, sitting with people you don’t like and a messy workplace are among Leeds’s biggest office gripes, according to new research from Village Hotel Club Leeds. The study, which explores what makes UK workers tick and what ticks them off, also uncovered what benefits workers in the city want to see most, with flexible working topping the list. Interestingly, this differs with the rest of the UK:
Leeds vs. the UK: Biggest office frustrations & Office wishlist
Office Frustrations: Leeds Office Frustrations: UK
1. Slow or outdated technology (21%) 1.The commute (14%)
2. Sitting with people you don’t like (12%) 2. Slow or outdated technology (14%)
3. Workplace mess (8%) 3. Sitting with people you don’t like (14%)
4. The commute (8%) 4. Not having enough space (9%)
5. Lack of communal or collaborative areas (6%) 5. Lack of attention to employee wellbeing (e.g. having to eat lunch at their desk) (7%)
Office Wishlist: Leeds Office Wishlist: UK
1. Flexible working (34%) 1. Flexible working (44%)
2. Free refreshments (29%) 2. Better Technology (42%)
3. Better technology (24%) 3. Free refreshments (36%)
4. Remote working days (19%) 4. Remote working days (24%)
5. Great coffee (19%) 5. More space (16%)
The survey of more than 2,500 Brits comes as Village Hotel Club launches its new co-working space, VWorks, in its Headingley and Morley locations in Leeds. It offers modern hot-desking spaces equipped with everything needed for a productive day – from sockets and USB ports to free wi-fi and refreshments – as well as smaller meeting pods. It is a smart, creative environment for people in the city to work, connect and network.
Nationally, more than half of us feel that it would be beneficial to work from somewhere other than our usual office (54%) and would even like to choose where we work from each day (52%). What’s more, over a third (36%) of Brits admitted that they would work more efficiently if they didn’t have to go into their office – this figure is only slightly lower among those in Leeds, at 35%.
The research also revealed the importance of our work environment, with nine in ten (90%) agreeing that it was important or very important for their productivity, work satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.
A third (33%) said they prefer to host important meetings outside of their usual workplace, with almost a quarter (24%) admitting that they are embarrassed by their current workspace. Almost half (48%) wished that they had better facilities, whilst 47% said they would like to have a more inspiring workspace. In Leeds these figures fall slightly, at 40% and 36% respectively.
Andy Barnsdale, General Manager at Village Hotel Club Leeds North, commented, “This research has given us an insight into how the way we work is changing. As more people are looking for flexible working and focusing on their work / life balance, co-working solutions that offer flexibility whilst providing a smart and inspiring workspace will become increasingly important.
“It is from this insight that VWorks was born. Across our hotels in Leeds, we’d noticed an increasing number of people looking for a space to work throughout the day – and not just from our business travellers, but from locals, too. There are more people on the road, working from home, or simply looking for a temporary space away from the office.
hrough VWorks we hope to provide that, while also giving people the opportunity to take advantage of our other facilities, from the Gym to Starbucks and our Pub & Grill.”
