[Office User Report] Workstyle Survey Report Vol. 2

Sanko Estate Co., Ltd. (HQ: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Shojiro Fukushima) has released an "Office User Report" summarizing a workstyle survey conducted among 3,000 office workers.

Ideal Office Building Environment: Prioritizing Transport Convenience

According to the survey, 72% of respondents cited "close to the station" as their top priority for an ideal office environment. This was followed by "directly connected to the station (staying dry in the rain)," "clean restrooms," "access to multiple lines," and "ample nearby restaurants," all ranging between 40-50%.

Comparing current conditions with ideals, the largest gap is seen in "directly connected to the station," with 50% desiring it compared to the current 21%. While the ideal for "a bustling city area" is lower than current reality, this suggests a segment of workers who prefer calmer areas for their office locations.

Desired Building Amenities: Prioritizing Functional Work Environments

Top-desired amenities are functional: "assigned desks," "small meeting/communication spaces (private/open)," and "single-person focus work areas." Convenience-oriented amenities like "convenience stores" ranked 5th at 61%, with "company cafeterias" and "restaurants" also sought by nearly half, indicating a focus on a concentrated work environment over comfort or luxury add-ons.

Drivers of Office Satisfaction: Discrepancies with Explicit Demands

Statistical analysis reveals that factors influencing satisfaction do not necessarily align with workers' stated demands. Notably, "good view from the building" and "newly constructed building" ranked 3rd and 4th for driving satisfaction, despite not being top demands. This highlights the importance of identifying and integrating latent needs when constructing office environments.

Satisfaction Factors by Office Size

For offices with 100 or fewer people, "convenience and comfort for daily tasks," such as shared meeting rooms, nap rooms, and shared indoor lounges, were top drivers. Conversely, for offices with 101 or more, "life support facilities" like daycare, cafeterias, and convenience stores, along with prestige factors like "new building," "green spaces," and "good views," were prioritized.

Analyst Perspective

As workstyles diversify, offices require more variety. Strategies must be comprehensive, considering workstyles, environment, and location, as worker demands do not always align with actual drivers of satisfaction, and priorities shift significantly with office size.