Workplace chair accident. Credit score: Giannis Vasilottos, Shutterstock
Based on a brand new examine revealed by Mitie on July 15, 2025, inefficient and undesigned workplaces have exceeded £71 billion (euros 84 billion) per yr within the UK financial system.
The report reveals that when work points similar to gradual lifts, poor Wi-Fi, lack of collaboration areas are wasted, they lose £485 million (EUR 572 million) every week on pay prices alone.
How UK workspaces are failing staff
A nationwide survey by the UK’s main facility transformation firm Mitie, almost 9 in 10 (88%) staff say {that a} secure working setting and entry to applicable expertise is crucial for each satisfaction and productiveness.
This examine means that employers who fail to spend money on sustained high-performance workplace house threat not solely liberating workers but additionally damaging the broader financial system.
“Employers have actual alternatives to enhance their workspaces, rising worker engagement, proactively fueling productiveness and driving innovation in ways in which serve a multi-generational workforce,” says Mark Caskey, managing director of Mitie’s initiatives.
The typical UK worker reportedly loses 68 minutes every week for unproductive duties brought on by a decline in office conditions. For full-time staff, that determine rises to 74 minutes, equal to £485.5 million every week on wasted wage.
These inefficiencies are:
- Discover a assembly room with respectable Wi-Fi
- Addresses damaged constructing providers like lifts
- Lack of a joint or quiet workspace
If it expands throughout the workforce, it will convey annual GDP losses to £71.4 billion, strengthening the UK’s wrestle in opposition to productiveness delays.
Within the first quarter of 2025, UK productiveness was 0.2% decrease than in the identical interval final yr. In comparison with different G7 international locations, the UK ranks fourth in GDP per hour, chasing after the US, Germany and France.
Office satisfaction impacts workers retention
The bodily work setting would not simply have an effect on productiveness. It’s immediately linked to how staff really feel about their work.
- 89% of staff who’re happy with their office are additionally happy with their employers.
- In distinction, solely 23% of people who find themselves sad with their office mentioned they had been happy with their job.
Listed here are some key office enhancements:
- Secure setting: 88%
- Entry to Instruments/Expertise: 83%
- Snug and correctly designed house: 75%
Regardless of in depth assumptions, perks like gyms and social areas do not transfer the needle a lot. Solely 29% contributed to satisfaction, and solely 55% cited alternatives to socialize as motivation to enter the workplace.
“When workplaces are designed with folks in thoughts and successfully managed, they change into highly effective enablers of collaboration and transformation… Individuals thrive, and the group advantages,” added Mark Caskey.
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