White Paper: The Vacancy Effect

As businesses continue to migrate back into their offices and address the shift to hybrid working models, leaders are now considering space reoccupation strategies in more detail.

While working from home was initially met with a great deal of excitement and adopted by many as ‘the new normal’, the reality of isolation and reduced productivity has set in.

Our latest research findings show that the experience of extended home working has changed the way that 71% of respondents feel about their employer, with 85% saying they have struggled with working from home. One of the main challenges employers are facing is fixing weakened company cultures and less collaborative teams as a result of the prolonged period of remote working. There is currently a balancing act happening as while some staff have happily adopted the change in working styles, we’ve also discovered that it is not one-size-fits-all. Altered routines have raised concerns around mental health and productivity. The impact of these changes has been felt across a variety of age groups, job roles and industry sectors.

To develop a better understanding of how businesses are preparing to manage the current challenges, we conducted a study with 1,500 people to assess the long-term impact of enforced remote working on businesses and individuals in the UK. The white paper includes insights from business leaders across a variety of sectors. Companies like Gymshark, Crowe LLP, Paradigm Norton and Square Enix present the current decisions and strategies being implemented to counter the negative impact working from home has had on employees.

Many businesses fear The Vacancy Effect which comes from the combination of isolated working and office space remaining empty. Over a third (36%) of workers aged 16-34 have lost enthusiasm for their company, posing a real threat to the future of their businesses. The risk for businesses is that they will potentially lose a generation of future leaders as people begin to feel increasingly less committed to their employers, their work culture and their professional future. We have also seen challenges in certain age groups as loneliness and lack of motivation start to pose a real challenge to isolated workers. With The Vacancy Effect being felt by many businesses, the negative impact on behaviour and attitudes of workers has become an issue that employers are seeking to address quickly.

Our latest white paper seeks to explore how businesses are making changes to bring people back into their offices and make positive changes to their people’s wellbeing and attitudes towards work. Through a combination of our expertise and survey findings, we can paint a detailed picture of how flexible working models are being navigated. With unique approaches from leaders of SMEs and global corporations, there are several options discussed in the white paper that can be used to help reignite the sparks of collaboration and culture that define so many businesses.