A survey of more than 800 office workers across the UK shows that the three things which workers feel would make a difference to their working life are: 1: More natural light; 2: Effective heating and air conditioning; 3: Better use of their office space. British workers do respond to the latest technology and high-quality design but better lighting and more control over temperature settings would be a big step forward towards their dream office. Good natural light and a space which allows free movement and a choice of posture means that workers can feel a sense of belonging and authenticity which is also vital for creative work.

As the industry’s leading designers and workplace experts come together for the start of Clerkenwell Design Week tomorrow, the study will be of key interest to the many people working to keep the UK’s workforce happy and productive. The study, commissioned by the global leader in the office furniture, Steelcase, shows that employees yearn for a feel good factor while at work. Aside from the occasional office joker's request to “Get rid of the boss “, “Be provided with a roof-top sauna” and “more interesting colleagues”, the principle elements on employees wish-list are relatively simple and do not require much effort or expense…

Being allowed to personalise their own office space and having more pot plant/greenery were popular requests, as well as changing the colour of the walls. However not all answers were unanimous, whilst many workers wanted more hot desks for mobile workers, others couldn’t stand not having their own desks, “I would have NO hot-desking” and “I would like my own desk as a sense of belonging”. According to Lawrence Morison, Vice President at Steelcase: “Britain’s office workers have made their feelings loud and clear. They know the value of a good working environment and what they want to see included in it.

“People’s expectations reach further than their pay-check and general job satisfaction. Workers in the modern office want to feel comfortable at work and be in an environment which makes them at ease and enables them to work better. There is plenty of research around that shows that employees’ wellbeing is crucially important to a company’s’ bottom line. Global research has shown that workers who feel that they are valued members of a team and not simply elements on a production line are less prone to absenteeism and work with greater enthusiasm and productivity. It is important that workers are empowered by an environment which allows them to feel that they are in control. The study shows that making sure office workers basic needs are met does not mean that businesses must make any drastic or expensive transformations.

“Whilst some of the requests are conflicting, the answer is often simply to give workers more autonomy over their work environment, if a workplace provides a hot-desking area as well as a permanent desking area for example, you would be catering to workers often conflicting needs. The simple measures of allowing employees to work in good natural light at the temperature they feel most comfortable, can bring instant returns to a business, as a worker who feels well is a happy worker and a happy worker is a productive one. All inall, it’s a win-win situation.”