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Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Office perfect for Instagram? Design spaces to aid work, not looks, say employees
UAE offices need to shift focus from being visually striking to being truly human-centered; that's the recurring message from HR professionals and workplace designers. This takeaway from Gensler's newly released 2025 Global Workplace Survey has prompted HR leaders and workplace experts to call for a shift: from picture-perfect setups to purpose-driven, human-centred design. The global architecture and design firm surveyed over 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries, including a deep sample from the UAE, to better understand what modern employees truly need from their workplaces. While UAE office workers acknowledge that their workplaces have improved since the pandemic, most believe their needs are still not met. Only 31 per cent of UAE employees strongly agree that their current work environment enables them to perform at their best, despite widespread office renovations and investments in workplace upgrades. Common challenges persist: noise, inefficient layouts, lack of meeting room availability, and insufficient quiet zones for focused work. Key employee priorities include better acoustics in shared spaces, access to informal collaboration zones, and dedicated areas for focused, undisturbed work. Need and design 'The UAE has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability. In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are witnessing rapid shifts in how people live and work, and the workplace must evolve accordingly,' said Edith Eddy, Senior Interior Designer, Workplace, at Gensler Middle East. 'Our research reveals a clear gap between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection — and what their current spaces provide. Bridging this gap will be essential for organisations aiming to attract talent, foster innovation, and design workplaces that truly support the future of work in the Emirates." The UAE currently ranks in the 'middle tier' globally when it comes to workplace satisfaction — performing better than France and Japan, but falling behind countries like the UK, India, and the United States." Key drivers Nicki Wilson, executive director of Genie Recruitment, highlighted how cultural and structural flexibility has transformed engagement in her firm. 'Now we finish early every Friday and the whole team works from home that day. We introduced a 'work from anywhere' policy where each team member can work remotely for a full week once a year with an extra allowance to support working from another country. This encourages travel, creativity and fresh perspective.' She added, 'Flexibility has increased accountability and engagement. There's a stronger sense of mutual trust. People feel empowered to own their time which means they show up more present and productive.' According to Wilson, UAE offices in 2025 need to prioritise 'human-centred' elements over aesthetics.' Design wise, UAE offices in 2025 need to focus less on just looking 'Instagrammable' and more on being human-centred. "That means quiet zones for focus, collaborative breakout areas, adjustable lighting, greenery and open air wherever possible. Movement-friendly layouts and high-quality ergonomic furniture are no longer optional, they're expected.' She also emphasised the need for a cultural shift. 'Culturally, the shift has to be toward outcome-based leadership. The 'bums on seats' mentality is outdated. Employees want autonomy, trust and purpose. That means leaders need to move from managing time to managing results and supporting mental wellbeing as a core business priority — not just a side perk.' Importantly, employee feedback loops need to be constant. A one-off survey doesn't cut it. Whether you run a 10-person business or a 1,000-person company, ask regularly: 'What would help you thrive here?' Then act on it.' Creative labs The survey also highlighted a mismatch between what employees experience and what they ideally want. Only 15 per cent described their ideal workplace as a formal 'business hub,' while 29 per cent said that label reflected their current office setup. In contrast, there's a growing appetite for 'creative labs' and 'nature retreats' — environments that promote creativity, calm, and purpose over rigid formality. Employees are asking for more than flashy amenities. Aws Ismail, a UAE-based professional, summed up what many feel is missing from modern offices. 'Honestly, I believe a lot of offices still feel quite disconnected from what employees need to thrive. Post-pandemic upgrades might look good on the surface, but many spaces don't encourage true collaboration, creativity, or even healthy competition. I think what's missing is an environment where people can learn from each other, be challenged, and feel part of something.' He added, "It's not just about comfortable chairs or a pool table, it's about the energy in the office, the leadership presence, and creating a culture that pushes people to perform at their best."
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Gensler's 2025 Global Workplace Survey reveals UAE Workers want offices
New findings show employees in the UAE seek more than productivity, they want purpose, flexibility, and creativity from the workplace. Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Gensler, the global architecture, design, and planning firm, has released its 2025 Global Workplace Survey, offering timely insight into the evolving needs of workers in the United Arab Emirates. Now in its twentieth year, the survey is one of the most comprehensive studies of the workplace to date, drawing on responses from more than 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries, including a deep sample from the UAE. As the UAE continues to accelerate national priorities such as the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the National Strategy for Wellbeing, the findings offer clear guidance for organisations designing future workplaces that match the country's ambitions in innovation, talent attraction, and sustainable urbanism. Edith Eddy, Senior Interior Designer, Workplace, at Gensler Middle East, commented: 'The UAE has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability. In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are witnessing rapid shifts in how people live and work, and the workplace must evolve accordingly. Our research reveals a clear gap between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection — and what their current spaces provide. Bridging this gap will be essential for organisations aiming to attract talent, foster innovation, and design workplaces that truly support the future of work in the Emirates.' Three Key Findings Reshaping the Future of Work in the UAE: First, the physical workplace is improving, but incremental change is not enough. UAE office workers are clear: the workplace is improving, but it still isn't keeping up with their needs. Despite post-pandemic renovations, only 31 percent of UAE employees strongly agree that their current workplace enables them to do their best work. This places the UAE in the middle tier globally for workplace satisfaction, higher than France and Japan, but behind the UK, India and the United States. Noise, lack of room availability, and layout inefficiencies remain common challenges. Top improvement priorities include quiet spaces for focus, better meeting room acoustics, and access to informal collaboration zones. Second, UAE workers are moving beyond traditional office formats. Only 15 percent described their ideal workplace as a formal 'business hub,' compared to 29 percent who said that described their current environment. In contrast, there is a growing desire for 'creative labs' and 'nature retreats', flexible, tranquil, and purpose-driven environments that better support innovation and wellbeing. This reflects a global trend away from rigid corporate settings; in fact, the UAE ranks among the top five countries globally where employees prefer imaginative and wellness-focused spaces. Third, the UAE office remains vital for connection, but only if it's designed with purpose. For UAE workers, coming into the office is about more than attendance, it's about access to experiences that matter. The top reasons cited for in-office presence include team meetings, confidential conversations, and visibility to senior leadership. Yet only 28 percent believe their meeting spaces are equipped to support these activities effectively. The UAE also ranks among the top countries where employees say they need the office to do their best work, with respondents indicating that ideally 67 percent of their workweek should be spent in-office, well above the global average of 60 percent. However, actual attendance remains lower, due in part to workspace limitations. Amenities define experience, both inside and outside the workplace. Within the office, UAE workers prioritised cafés, coworking zones, quiet rooms, libraries, and innovation hubs. Compared to the global average, UAE employees are more likely to value informal and flexible work areas, with coworking spaces and food halls ranked especially high. In surrounding neighbourhoods, the UAE placed above the global average in preference for walkable access to coffee shops, medical centres, outdoor green spaces, and religious or spiritual facilities, highlighting a need for workplaces embedded within holistic, community-focused environments. As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for commerce, talent, and urban innovation, this year's Global Workplace Survey offers organisations a roadmap to reimagine the office, not as a fixed space, but as a dynamic platform for creativity, connection, and long-term performance. About Gensler At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impact on the human experience. We are a dynamic and collaborative design firm uniting creativity, research, and innovation to solve complex problems for our clients. Our work challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment. We aren't just designing buildings — we are reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people's lives. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Everything we do is guided by our mission: to create a better world through the power of design. About the Gensler Research Institute The Gensler Research Institute is dedicated to advancing knowledge on the relationship between design, business performance, and human experience. Through global studies and local insight, the Institute provides strategies that drive impact in a fast-changing world.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What do UAE office workers really want? Insights from the 2025 Global Workplace Survey
UAE employees want 67% of their workweek in-office, but only 31% feel their current spaces support their best work due to noise and layout issues. (Representational Image) Global architecture and design firm Gensler has released its 2025 Global Workplace Survey, delivering an in-depth look at what office workers want, and aren't getting, in the United Arab Emirates. Marking its twentieth edition, the survey drew insights from more than 16,800 full-time office workers across 15 countries, including a focused sample from the UAE. The survey findings come at a crucial moment as the UAE pushes forward on national priorities such as the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and the National Strategy for Wellbeing. With this momentum in mind, the report provides a practical roadmap for employers and developers aiming to build future-ready workspaces aligned with innovation, talent attraction, and sustainable growth. 'The UAE has become a global benchmark for ambition and adaptability,' said Edith Eddy, Senior Interior Designer, Workplace, at Gensler Middle East. 'In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we are witnessing rapid shifts in how people live and work, and the workplace must evolve accordingly. Our research reveals a clear gap between what employees need to thrive — flexibility, creativity, and connection, and what their current spaces provide. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amazon CFD : La clave para un ingreso extra (Conoce más) Empezar ahora Registrarse Undo Bridging this gap will be essential for organisations aiming to attract talent, foster innovation, and design workplaces that truly support the future of work in the Emirates. ' Workplace satisfaction in the UAE: Improvements, but still not enough Despite heavy post-pandemic investment in upgraded office spaces across the UAE, including new, in-demand office buildings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, only 31% of UAE office workers strongly agree that their current workspace enables them to do their best work, according to Gensler. This places the UAE ahead of France and Japan, but behind the UK, India, and the United States in workplace satisfaction. Common pain points remain: Noise Lack of room availability Layout inefficiencies Top improvement areas identified by employees include: Quiet spaces for focus Better meeting room acoustics Access to informal collaboration zones A lot of noise is rated as the biggest concern voiced by UAE office staff about their workplaces A shift away from traditional 'business hubs' One of the report's most striking insights is the shifting vision for what an ideal workplace looks like. Only 15% of UAE workers said their ideal workplace is a formal 'business hub,' even though 29% said that describes their current environment. Instead, there's a marked preference for: 'Creative labs' 'Nature retreats' These settings are described as flexible, tranquil, and purpose-driven environments that support innovation and wellbeing. 'This reflects a global trend away from rigid corporate settings,' the Gensler report states. The UAE is now ranked among the top five countries worldwide where employees show a strong preference for imaginative and wellness-focused workspaces. In-office work still matters- if the office serves a purpose While flexible work is valued, UAE employees still see the office as essential. Respondents said 67% of their ideal workweek should be spent in the office, well above the global average of 60%. Yet actual attendance is lower, largely because current office setups aren't meeting employee needs. Top reasons for in-office attendance include: Team meetings Confidential conversations Visibility to senior leadership However, only 28% of UAE workers believe their meeting spaces are adequately equipped to support these functions. Amenities and neighbourhood features are increasingly important Gensler's survey also looked beyond the office walls. UAE employees showed a stronger-than-global-average preference for certain amenities both inside and around the workplace. Most valued in-office amenities: Cafés Coworking zones Quiet rooms Libraries Innovation hubs Preferred surrounding neighbourhood features: Walkable access to coffee shops Medical centres Outdoor green spaces Religious or spiritual facilities These preferences signal a broader desire for community-integrated, holistic work environments that support both professional productivity and personal wellbeing.
