Adapting offices to support COVID-19 secure workplaces and emerging work patterns
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Leeds University Business School (LUBS)
Abstract
COVID-19 changed where we work. In 2019 5% of the UK workforce worked mainly from home, this reached 44% in May 2020 and remained at 27% in July 2020 when lockdown restrictions eased (Office for National Statistics, 2020). Homeworking offers flexibility and work-life balance, but most products and services result from collaboration and discussion - work completion and performance are inherently social processes. Organizations must design offices, technologies and working practices that facilitate this social fabric. Businesses are planning for a return to the office and are adapting office space and work practices to retain benefits of remote working and support hybrid working. One size office design will not fit all and we cannot assume what solutions "will work". Businesses are questioning how best to return to the office, how much space and what type of space to retain. This multidisciplinary project supports economic recovery via identifying effective office design and adaptation of work practices to maximise gains and minimise downsides from remote and hybrid working.
In this project we apply a socio-technical approach to 1) establish exemplars for design and operation of offices adaptable to COVID-19 constraints, remote and hybrid working; 2) investigate how different office and work arrangements (e.g., hybrid working) impact social networks, workflow and performance by studying employees' in adapted offices (via interviews, high-frequency diary study, social network analysis, building data); 3) offer recommendations for supporting the transition of workers back into offices; 4) an evidence base to guide office requirement planning. Our project partners (WorldCC, Atkins, Leeds City Council, Coreus, Walker Morris, OneMedical Group) help us reach a range of industries and contribute data, advice and networks.
In this project we apply a socio-technical approach to 1) establish exemplars for design and operation of offices adaptable to COVID-19 constraints, remote and hybrid working; 2) investigate how different office and work arrangements (e.g., hybrid working) impact social networks, workflow and performance by studying employees' in adapted offices (via interviews, high-frequency diary study, social network analysis, building data); 3) offer recommendations for supporting the transition of workers back into offices; 4) an evidence base to guide office requirement planning. Our project partners (WorldCC, Atkins, Leeds City Council, Coreus, Walker Morris, OneMedical Group) help us reach a range of industries and contribute data, advice and networks.
Publications
Collis, H.
(2023)
How does your workspace influence your personality?
Davis, M.
(2022)
Effective hybrid working for employers and employees
| Description | The research established the range of adaptations that were made to offices to help create COVID-19 secure workplaces, the stakeholder and employee perceptions of these, and the value of multi-stakeholder design. Employee and stakeholder interviews demonstrate how hybrid working can mean widely different things in practice. Five types of hybrid working were identified: free hybrids, timeless hybrids, nomadic hybrids, fixed hybrids and balanced hybrids. Each form of hybrid working has implications for the type and amount of office space required. Hybrid working presents challenges. Interviews and workshops highlighted the risk that: employees feel there is an "us and them" - those able to work flexibly or more flexibly and those whose roles or managers prevent this, and; a tension between "me and we"- employees feel difficulty balancing personal preferences and needs against the needs of colleagues and the organisation. Cross-industry surveys of office workers show a consistent majority preference for hybrid working (52%), minorities preferred either fully office based (23%) or fully remote working (23%). Almost half of office workers (49%) say they are in a job that doesn't fit their ideal way of working. 39% would like to be working from the office less: these workers are more likely to report wanting to change jobs and have lower job satisfaction. 74% of office workers would like to receive training for hybrid working, only 8.5% had received any. This leaves a significant training gap. The research looked at whether employees in a range of workplaces felt and behaved differently when they were in the office compared with when they were at home using daily diaries (over 10,000 observations). When individuals worked from an office they reported higher job satisfaction and engagement, rated their performance better, helped colleagues more and experienced less work-family conflict, than when they worked from home or third spaces. Choice matters. When employees felt that they could choose between workplaces (e.g. office or home) they had higher job satisfaction and wellbeing. When employees had choice over where to work within a workspace, they reported: higher job satisfaction, workspace satisfaction, performance, wellbeing, helping behaviours, did extra work tasks, lower exhaustion, work family conflict or counter-productive work behaviours. This shows the value of designing in more discretion for workers to decide how, when and where to get tasks done. Diary data showed that the office is still primarily used for solo work (almost 60% of tasks reported as individual-focused). Collaboration is an important activity, but a secondary one: 20% of tasks reported involved in-person interactions. Future workplaces still need to provide spaces and support for completing individual and low concentration tasks. 11% of tasks reported from the office were video calls; 2.5% of tasks involved hybrid meetings. Designing an effective hybrid workplace is more than an HR policy or office design issue - it is a socio-technical problem - essentially affecting all aspects of "work". Decisions over hybrid policy, technologies, workplace and work practices present trade-offs and the potential for unintended consequences. |
| Exploitation Route | Organizations can form multi-stakeholder design teams and engage frontline workers in the adaptation/redesign of offices and work practices to support hybrid working. Organizations can take forward the hybrid typology to better define their hybrid policies, benchmark against others and consider the potential to design in autonomy to roles under fixed hybrid conditions. Organizations and policy makers should address the training gap regarding effective hybrid working and management. Organizations and designers can use the data regarding proportion of individual or collaborative office based tasks and the value of employee control over location to inform office design. |
| Sectors | Construction,Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| URL | https://futureworkplace.leeds.ac.uk |
| Description | Findings regarding nature of tasks undertaken in hybrid workplaces, the value of employee choice over work location and the hybrid typology have begun to be applied within partner organization's workspace planning and design activities. We are developing relationships with external organizations to translate knowledge into workplace planning principles. Insights regarding staff perceptions and differing interpretations of hybrid work and workplace needs are being recognised within the Higher Education sector and informing current debates on future campus strategies. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Construction,Education,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Contribution to POST research briefing: The impact of remote and hybrid working on workers and organisations |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PB-0049/POST-PB-0049.pdf |
| Title | Adapting Offices Cross-Sector Office Worker Surveys |
| Description | Snapshot surveys with a cross-industry group of UK office workers to understand how their experience of hybrid working had changed over time. Data were collected via Prolific Academic using online surveys at T1 (August 2021), T2 (December 2021) and T3 (August 2022). Participants were matched across each time point T1 n=1025, T2 n=759, T3 n=451. Data includes a range of demographics, actual and preferred work patterns, perceptions of physical workspace, hybrid work experiences and psychological outcomes (e.g., wellbeing, work-life balance). |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The data set has underpinned public reports on the project and have received press attention and coverage. |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.5518/1305 |
| Description | Animation highlighting key findings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Animation to publicise and engage employees, organisations and general public with the implications of our research findings for office workers. Used as a feedback tool for participants and to engage on the public website. Shared and featured via Linkedin with positive comments and feedback. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/H9W8PgGZb70 |
| Description | Article for The HR Director Blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis and Dr Emma Gritt had a piece published by The HR Director Blog (influential UK HR site) on 12/5/2022 titled "MIND THE HYBRID TRAINING GAP". Showcases the research findings and highlights issues and practical recommendations that managers and HR practitioners can take. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.thehrdirector.com/mind-hybrid-training-gap/ |
| Description | BBC Leeds Interview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes was interviewed by Richard Stead on the BBC Radio Leeds Breakfast Show about the prevalence of hybrid working models and home-working. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09f3wj2 |
| Description | British Computer Society IT Leaders Forum Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis and Dr Helen Hughes presented at British Computer Society IT Leaders Forum Event 'Creating a new Work World'. 175 attendees and more viewers of the recording post event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/XBWEAKVd2Fo |
| Description | Comment for BBC worklife article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes featured in BBC Worklife article discussing the simmering tension between remote and in-office workers. Featured and discussed findings resulting from the ESRC funded research project. Findings and comments also referenced in Forbes Hungary and SINA China. Exposure helped to gain buy in from employees within partner organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220408-the-simmering-tension-between-remote-and-in-office-wor... |
| Description | Dr Helen Hughes quoted for People Management |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes quoted for People Management (leading HR publication) article "New workers can struggle with remote communication - but it doesn't have to be this way", discussing key findings relating to new/early career workers from the research project. Identified need for specific support and management approaches. Follow-up requests for information and later invitations to talk at professional events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1790742/new-workers-struggle-remote-communication---doesn... |
| Description | Dr Matthew Davis interviewed as part of Ignites Europe (FT specialist publication) article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was interviewed for Ignites Europe (FT specialist publication) article "M&G spends £19m on post-Covid office refurbishments" published on 6/25/2022. Provided view based on trends reported by SME interviewees within research project. Provided comment on how office design and related change is developing within finance and banking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.igniteseurope.com/c/3612884/464304 |
| Description | Dr Matthew Davis quoted for Daily Telegraph article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was quoted for Daily Telegraph article "Tempted to work from bed this week? Here's why you should resist" on 21/6/2022. Raised awareness of cross-industry survey findings featured in first interactive project report regarding large proportion of workers with inadequate home workspace. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Dr Matthew Davis quoted for HR Reporter on Best practices for hybrid work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis quoted for HR Reporter (Canada) on 25/7/2022 on Best practices for hybrid work. Features findings and advice for approaching design of hybrid work policies, based on first interactive project report. Material also picked up by Mortgage Broker News (Canada) on 7/27/2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.hrreporter.com/news/hr-news/best-practices-for-hybrid-work/368478 |
| Description | Festival of Social Science: The future of work: does place still matter? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Emma Gritt and Dr Matthew Davis organised and hosted an industry event for the Festival of Social Sciences on 8/11/2022 in Leeds, titled "The future of work: does place still matter?". The event included a research presentation to highlight key findings and implications from the project, followed by an industry panel discussion featuring speakers from Leeds City Council, Atkins, Pinsent Masons and Monroe K. Audience discussion around implementation of recommendations. Follow-up discussions with Atkins and Leeds City Council around the city level theme that emerged led to them both joining as partners and writing letters of support for new research funding bid (Workplace: Nation) to ESRC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/events/event/846/the-future-of-work-does-place-still-matter |
| Description | Future of Leeds event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes participated in an event Interview with EG about the future of work, for a production on "The Future of Leeds". Other speakers incl. Mayor of West Yorkshire and CEO of Leeds City Council. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.eg.co.uk/contact-us/the-future-of-leeds-register-now/ |
| Description | Hybrid: Friend or Foe panel at the Association of University Directors of Estates Big Conversation 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was invited to take part in the panel debate, Hybrid: Friend or Foe at the Association of University Directors of Estates Big Conversation 2022 in-person event on 11/11/2022. Key outcomes of the discussions have been published and shared with the AUDE national membership. Research report shared with attendees who requested more information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.aude.ac.uk/events/big-conversation/in-person-programme/ |
| Description | Industry Round Table Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis, Dr Helen Hughes, Dr Simon Rees led an interactive round table discussion event to share research findings and to discuss implications for return of staff to offices and design of longer term hybrid policies and workplaces. Attendees included leaders, managers and facilities managers from public and private sector organizations. Excellent discussion and sharing of approaches, strategies and challenges. Attendees reported using the research findings (survey results) as part of internal presentations, informing their decision making regarding return of office workers and office needs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interview for BBC Online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was featured in BBC online article about individual differences in homeworking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200506-why-are-some-people-better-at-working-from-home-than-o... |
| Description | Interview for BBC Radio Highlands and Islands |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes is interviewed about the benefits of working in an office, compared to working from home. Clip available upon request. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interview for BBC Radio Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Helen Hughes speaks about the benefits of having a good workspace, particularly when working from home, to improve mental health and productivity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interview for Financial Times |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis interviewed for the article "Long live the (reconfigured) office". Quoted regarding the adaptation of offices for hybrid working. Article engaged new business stakeholders in the research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.ft.com/content/4bd37f1e-82c8-491c-b938-754e010ac5ec |
| Description | Interview for regional BBC news |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Look North, BBC One Yorkshire, 2nd Mar, 2023, Broadcast. Weekly viewership circa 2 million. Dr Mathew Davis (LUBS) was interviewed about the growth in office space in Leeds, despite the fact that fewer people are commuting to the office compared to before the pandemic. Discussed key findings from the ESRC funded research relating to the cross-sector surveys and diary studies. Follow-up post event from Arup and Leeds City Council regardign future events and activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jpx1 |
| Description | Interviewed for HR Square's article on the future of the office |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was interviewed for HR Square's article on the future of the office. Titled: WAARHEEN MET HET KANTOOR (EN DE MENSEN)? |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited presentation and panelist at UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Future Workplaces: Is hybrid working? Invited presentation and panellist at UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 18/5/2022 Property industry, businesses, facilities managers and policy makers in attendance at session. Feedback at end of session re: changed thinking regarding what hybrid working is and the implications of different policy choices for space. Request for follow-up and information shared with two architectural practices. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://futureworkplace.leeds.ac.uk/news/dr-matthew-davis-speaks-at-ukreiif-future-workplaces-is-hyb... |
| Description | Keynote Panel at World Commerce & Contracting Vibe Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was an invited panellist at a Keynote Panel at World Commerce & Contracting Vibe Conference (21/09/2022). Global online conference for the WCC membership. Discussed key findings relating to trade-offs in hybrid working, strategies to support effective knowledge sharing, team relationships and performance. Question and discussion from audience regarding creating office environments that attract employees, balancing competing demands within teams managing change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.worldcc.com/Portals/VIBE/Vibe%20Summit%20Programme.pdf |
| Description | Leeds in Conversation Podcast |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was a discussant on Leeds in Conversation Podcast Series 2 Episode 4: Leeds in the 21st Century and Beyond. Participation helped to build further collaboration with Leeds City Council on the research project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://leedsinconversation.podbean.com/e/s02-e04-leeds-in-the-21st-century-and-beyond/ |
| Description | Podcast - Preparing for a change of mindset as well as a change of office space |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hannah Collis and Dr Matthew Davis discuss how organisations can make the most of the disruption caused by the pandemic, and the need for employers to continually check-in with employees on their return to the office. Over 100 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1879/podcast-preparing-for-a-change-of-mindset... |
| Description | Podcast: Adapting offices for the future of work - A case study with Avnet |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis (Leeds University Business School) is joined by Professor Simon Rees (School of Civil Engineering) and Duncan Hurd (Avnet) to discuss how Avnet has adapted its Premier Farnell office and distribution facilities in Leeds during the pandemic and in response to new ways of working. As an international organisation, Duncan talks about the need to consider different cultural requirements as well as the requirements of functional teams and the preferences of employees when adapting office spaces. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1963/podcast-adapting-offices-for-the-future-o... |
| Description | Podcast: Creating an ergonomic workspace for those returning to the office |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hannah Collis is joined by Antony Hylton to discuss how to create an ergonomic workspace for those returning to the office after the Covid19 pandemic. Over 90 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1895/podcast-creating-an-ergonomic-workspace-f... |
| Description | Podcast: How is office design changing to accommodate hybrid and new ways of working? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis, Leeds University Business School, is joined by Professor Simon Rees, School of Civil Engineering, and Mike Burton, Director at AECOM. They talk about how developers and designers are making changes to offices for new ways of working. This includes: better ventilation, different technology for hybrid working, making the office more attractive for those used to working from home, and designing offices to be more accommodating for neurodiverse people. Over 100 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1937/podcast-how-is-office-design-changing-to-... |
| Description | Podcast: The importance of good ventilation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Is air conditioning enough to ventilate a room? And is an open window better than an electric fan? In this episode of Leeds University Business School's Research and Innovation Podcast, Dr Matthew Davis is joined by Professor Cath Noakes and Professor Simon Rees (School of Civil Engineering) to discuss the importance of good ventilation in buildings, particularly as people begin to return to the office after lockdown. Over 100 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1884/podcast-the-importance-of-good-ventilatio... |
| Description | Podcast: University of Leeds Alumni "Forever Leeds" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was interviewed for University of Leeds Alumni "Forever Leeds" podcast. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://foreverleeds.captivate.fm/episode/the-one-with-the-megastars |
| Description | Podcast: What are work social networks and how do they relate to hybrid working? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Podcast featuring Dr Matthew Davis and Dr Helen Hughes discussing "What are work social networks and how do they relate to hybrid working?" on 11/22/2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/2062/podcast-what-are-work-social-networks-and... |
| Description | Podcast: What do workers want, and need, from an office space? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis and Hannah Collis discuss their recent survey results, showing where office-workers want to work, and how they want to use different workspaces. Matthew and Hannah talk about the need for a whole-system approach when creating a flexible and adaptable office space. Over 100 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/research-stc/dir-record/research-blog/1906/podcast-what-do-workers-want... |
| Description | Podcast: What will the office look like post-pandemic? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis and Dr Helen Hughes talk about what office space might be like post-pandemic, asking questions such as whether the office is dead, how different sectors will respond, and whether employers will use this as an opportunity to re-think what office space should be for. Over 200 listens via SoundCloud and Apple / Spotify. Episode promoted via LinkedIn and Twitter professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://business.leeds.ac.uk/dir-record/research-blog/1841/podcast-what-will-the-office-look-like-po... |
| Description | Presentation to Atkins |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented to Atkins National Research & Innovation Network event on 'Future of Workplace'. Approximately 25 research, design and consultancy attendees. Good discussion and sharing of ideas around different office concepts and strategies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation to ESRC-GSR Actionable Insights seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented research findings from Adapting Offices at ESRC-GSR Actionable Insights seminar. Cross government seminar with 370 attendees. Good discussion and follow-up with public sector attendee. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation to ESRC/KTN Covid Business Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented "Hybrid and future ways of working: Why one-size can't fit all" as part of The Covid Business Series: What Works for Work? - Transforming the place and time of work. Approximately 60 attendees from business and policy. Good discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Presentation to Futures Spaces event, organised by Atkins for Association of University Directors of Estates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to Futures spaces event, organised by Atkins for Association of University Directors of Estates. Presentation titled: Blended Future. Asked for slide deck to distribute to AUDE membership, asked for report to distribute and project webinar invite. Email from University of Lincoln requesting copy of the report to use internally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.aude.ac.uk/eventbooking/View?id=4638 |
| Description | Presentation to People Analytics SIG |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented to the Operational Research Societies People Analytics Special Interest Group's AGM - talk titled Adapting Offices in response to COVID-19 & hybrid working. Sparked debate regarding future office strategy and design. Received interest post event and led to stakeholder interviews. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation to Smarter Working Practitioner Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented on Adapting Offices to cross-public sector Smarter Working Practitioner Group. Received interest from public sector organizations after the event to participate in the research project = this translated into data gathering activities, informing the research and outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Presentation to Yorkshire Climate Action Coalition (Hosted by Deloitte) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis and Dr Helen Hughes presented at the Yorkshire Climate Action Coalition on the future of the physical office (hosted by Deloitte). good audience discussion and debate on the future of the office and potential environmental impacts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Public video: Homeworking and the future of the office |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presents a summary of the research relating to the benefits and downsides to homeworking and the implications for the future office. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://mymedia.leeds.ac.uk/Mediasite/Play/4b88d8f31ea24bc6b64104875420a18f1d |
| Description | Research featured in Property Week online |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was quoted and the research featured in Property Week (the UK's leading publication for the property sector) in an article "Firms need to get their hybrid policies and office space right". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.propertyweek.com/analysis/firms-need-to-get-their-hybrid-policies-and-office-space-right... |
| Description | Research featured in Workplace Insight |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis quoted and the research featured in an article by Workplace Insight on 10/20/2022 "Hybrid working balance isn't right for a third of people " |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://workplaceinsight.net/hybrid-working-balance-isnt-right-for-a-third-of-people/ |
| Description | Research featured in Yorkshire Post |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis was quoted and the research findings heavily featured in Yorkshire Post article "Imbalance of home and office working causing issues for employees, new research finds" on 16/11/2022. Following the publication, received contact from Lowell (financial firm) to share further information and help provide guidance and feedback on their hybrid policy and working practices. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/imbalance-of-home-and-office-working-causing-issues-for-emp... |
| Description | Research featured in the The HR Director Blog |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis quoted and research featured in The HR Director Blog article "MIND THE HYBRID TRAINING GAP" on 12/5/2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.thehrdirector.com/mind-hybrid-training-gap/ |
| Description | SME Leaders Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented and facilitated interactive discussion at University of Leeds SME Leaders Forum "New Ways of Working: Office vs Homeworking". 15 SMEs for one-hour session. Good discussion around ways to adapt hybrid working for various staff and business needs, challenges for SMEs and sharing of approaches between different companies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Webinar - Returning to the office - what do we know and what do we need to know? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Emma Gritt, Dr Matthew Davis with Angela Barnicle (Leeds City Council), Ruth Hynes (Atkins) and Dan Jones (Story Contracting). Presented emerging findings regarding adapting offices to reduce COVID-19 risks, approaches to returning staff to offices and adapting to hybrid working. Interactive discussion with audience, answering questions and providing advice regarding engaging employees in office return. Individual enquiries and some follow-up with new stakeholders after the event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://mymedia.leeds.ac.uk/Mediasite/Play/b7924c26277540d994ff336f5ce344c11d |
| Description | Webinar: "Adapting offices and new ways of working" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis presented "Adapting offices and new ways of working". Approximately 50 attendees from alumni community. Good discussion and questions regarding the future of the office. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Webinar: Hybrid & Future Ways of Working: Why One-Size Can't Fit All |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | In this webinar the Adapting Offices research team present key lessons learned around successes in adapting offices for hybrid working, and highlighting employee concerns, needs and aspirations for the future office. Excellent interaction, discussion and questions from the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://mymedia.leeds.ac.uk/Mediasite/Play/182bb9f984074505aa2d6f3a39eca0221d |
| Description | Webinar: Lessons Learned and Challenges for Implementing Hybrid Working |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | This is the second webinar from the Adapting Offices for the Future of Work UKRI research project, which presents a first look at the key findings from our research activities so far. This includes insights from interviews with key decision makers and stakeholders involved with office redesign planning or COVID-19 task groups. We also share a first look at highlights from a cross-industry employee survey we have recently completed. Excellent discussion around return of employees to the office, hybrid adaptations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://mymedia.leeds.ac.uk/Mediasite/Play/35bba349b37f42629a841baea6424c151d |
| Description | Where is your office today? An Interactive Guide to Hybrid Working Report Press Release - press coverage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Press release relating to Where is your office today? An Interactive Guide to Hybrid Working - interactive report (31/05/2022). Key findings picked up relating to no-one size fits all with regards hybrid working, lack of home workspace, HR policy implications of hybrid working. HR, business and finance publications primarily picked up the release. HR Zone 35% of office workers have no home working space https://www.hrzone.com/community/blogs/peter-remon/35-of-office-workers-have-no-home-working-space Workplace Insight A third of UK office workers have no dedicated workspace at home https://workplaceinsight.net/a-third-of-uk-office-workers-have-no-dedicated-workspace-at-home/ The Financial More than a third of UK office workers have no dedicated workspace at home https://finchannel.com/more-than-a-third-of-uk-office-workers-have-no-dedicated-workspace-at-home/ Ardwatalab More than a third of UK office workers have no dedicated workspace at home https://ardwatalab.net/news-headlines/more-than-a-third-of-uk-office-workers-have-no-dedicated-workspace-at-home Industrial Automation More than a third of UK office workers have no dedicated workspace at home https://www.industrialautomationindia.in/newsitm/13885/More-than-a-third-of-UK-office-workers-have-no-dedicated-workspace-at-home/news Human Resources Director Hybrid workplace is more than an HR policy or office design issue' https://www.hcamag.com/asia/specialisation/employment-law/hybrid-workplace-is-more-than-an-hr-policy-or-office-design-issue/408016 Working Mums 'No one size fits all for hybrid working' https://www.workingmums.co.uk/no-one-size-fits-all-for-hybrid-working/ Relocate Magazine " Staff 'must be involved' in hybrid plans" https://www.relocatemagazine.com/news/staff-must-be-involved-in-hybrid-plans-talent-management-dsapsted-0522 Global Islamic Finance MORE THAN A THIRD OF UK OFFICE WORKERS HAVE NO DEDICATED WORKSPACE AT HOME https://globalislamicfinancemagazine.com/more-than-a-third-of-uk-office-workers-have-no-dedicated-workspace-at-home/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.hrzone.com/community/blogs/peter-remon/35-of-office-workers-have-no-home-working-space |
| Description | Where is your office today? Panel discussion and workshop for industry |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matthew Davis, Dr Helen Hughes, Dr Hannah Collis organised and led an industry event in Leeds on 23/6/2022 "Where is your office today?" A panel discussion and workshop for industry to discuss practical application of Report 1 and to explore how to implement the guidance. Sparked discussion around use of the research findings with clientsa nd in influencing design decisions within own organisations. Discussion with Alec Musson from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust around use of findings, subsequently LTHT have joined ESRC grant application (Workplace: Nation - under review) as an industry stakeholder, writing a LoS. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://futureworkplace.leeds.ac.uk/events/where-is-your-office-today/ |
| Description | Where is your office? New insights on employee behaviour & social networks Report 2 launch webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Emma Gritt, Dr Matthew Davis, Dr Helen Hughes, Prof. Chiahuei Wu, Dr Hannah Collis and organised and delivered a launch webinar to highlight key findings and practical recommendations from the second interactive report "Where is your office? New insights on employee behaviour & social networks" on 19/10/2022. 173 attendees and post event 273 views of the recording on Youtube. Follow-up requests for the report and for conversations regarding the findings from businesses. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq-MHixEcj4 |
| Description | Workplace Trends article with Atkins |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Co-authored article for widely read business blog on Workplace Trends regarding future workplaces. Co-authored with industry partner Atkins. Davis, M., Fang, L., & Manolakelli, A. (2022, April). Translating Research to Practice: Evidence-Based Design for Workplaces and Offices of the Future. Workplace Trends. Retrieved from https://workplacetrends.co/evidence-based-design-for-workplaces-and-offices-of-the-future/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://workplacetrends.co/evidence-based-design-for-workplaces-and-offices-of-the-future/ |