Office Occupational Health and Safety

Average Office Space Requirements for Different Industries: A Data-Driven Analysis

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A close-up view of the top couple of floors of an office building with a red facade. The many rectangular windows have a matte greyish-blue shine, and a strip of blue, daytime sky is visible above the top of the building. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Key findings – How much office space do I need?

  1. “Hybrid layouts can reduce space needs by 10–50%, translating into cost savings of up to £8,500 per employee/year.”
  2. “Office density directly impacts costs: There’s a 3–4× difference in space and cost allocation between call centres and finance firms.”
  3. “In 2024, the average London office footprint was 5,622 sqft — but sector demand varies widely, with financial firms averaging 10,262 sqft and creative agencies managing with as little as 500 sqft.”
  4. “77% of sub-70 desk lettings in West London were on flexible terms in 2024 — and flex leases below 5,000 sqft are more cost-effective than conventional leases under 5 years.”

Office requirements aren’t just about aesthetics or amenities; square footage is also a key factor that can help businesses operate efficiently, especially in demand-driven real estate markets like London. 

Office Space Needs Will Vary by Industry/Sector

Different industries work in fundamentally different ways, and their square footage needs reflect that. Industry-specific workflows, employee density, tech infrastructure, collaboration style, and client interaction models all play a role in shaping how much office space is required. 

In this article, we’ll look at the unique office space requirements of different sectors and at the factors you need to keep in mind to make informed leasing decisions that align your workspace strategy with your operational needs.

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What is BREEAM Certification? Sustainable Office Design in London

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A low-angle daytime view up at three towering skyscrapers in the London business district. The buildings are modern with glass facades shining with a turquoise hue under a cloudy sky. Modern London office buildings are leading the way when it comes to sustainable office design, many attaining Excellent or Outstanding BREEAM ratings. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

In the London commercial real estate market, sustainable office design is no longer a trend, but a defining factor. With growing pressure from regulatory requirements, corporate ESG commitments, and changing tenant expectations, demand for green office spaces has never been higher. As a result, businesses and landlords are rethinking their approach to office space.

One of the key ways they’re doing this is through BREEAM certification, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. Originating in the UK, BREEAM is a guideline for sustainable building design that is now accepted as a gold standard the world over. But what exactly does BREEAM involve, and why does it matter for landlords and occupiers in the London office market? Let’s take a look at how London offices are going green through this accredited standard.

The Green Shift in London’s Office Market

The demand for sustainable office spaces in London has surged in recent years, driven by stronger enforcement of corporate responsibility schemes and stricter government regulations, such as Net Zero Commitments, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Requirements, and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

This has caused a shift in how commercial real estate is valued. For example, Grade A offices are now exclusively comprised of those that meet green criteria. As a result, landlords are prioritising green features that improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and create healthier working environments.

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Mastering the Art of the Office Seating Plan

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A view across a modern, well-lit, and high-ceilinged workspace. There is exposed, shiny ducting criss-crossing the ceiling as well as bright, straight light fixtures hanging down. People work at desks on the left, there's breakout space on the right next to tall windows, and there's a private office and meeting room behind glass on the far wall. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

In the dynamic world of modern business, the design and layout of office spaces play pivotal roles in defining a company’s success. One often overlooked aspect of this is the office seating plan. While it might seem like a simple task, deciding where your employees sit can directly influence your business outcomes.

Why is that? Well, at its core, an effective seating plan does more than just arrange desks and chairs. It sets the stage for enhanced collaboration, fosters a conducive environment for focused work, and can even act as a catalyst for spontaneous innovation.

Office spaces, particularly in bustling business hubs like London, aren’t merely physical areas filled with furniture. They are strategic assets. How you utilise these assets—like creating a well-thought-out seating arrangement—directly correlates with employee productivity. For instance, the concept of hot-desking, which is rapidly gaining traction in the UK, underscores the need for flexibility and efficiency in office seating. With employees no longer tied to one specific desk, the need for a coherent and adaptive seating strategy becomes even more essential.

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From Frosty to Toasty: Decoding the UK’s Office Temperature Conundrum

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Picture this: it’s a chilly winter morning, and you’ve just arrived at your office. You’re greeted by the familiar hum of computers and the chatter of your colleagues as they catch up over a steaming cup of tea or coffee. As you settle into your desk, you can’t help but notice an icy draft nipping at your fingers, making it almost impossible to concentrate on your work. On the flip side, imagine it’s a sweltering summer afternoon, and the heat is overwhelming, leaving you feeling lethargic and longing for the comfort of an air-conditioned room. In both scenarios, you find yourself yearning for a comfortable environment that allows you to focus and be productive.

The truth is, office temperature plays a crucial role in employee comfort, well-being, and productivity. As anyone who has ever worked in an office knows, finding the perfect temperature can be a challenging task. Too cold, and employees are shivering in their seats, reaching for an extra jumper; too hot, and they’re fanning themselves, struggling to concentrate amidst the heat. Striking the right balance is not only essential for keeping everyone comfortable, but also for ensuring a healthy and productive work environment. But how do you navigate the tricky terrain of office temperature in the United Kingdom?

In this article, we’ll unravel the mystery surrounding the UK’s minimum and recommended office temperature guidelines, giving you the tools you need to create the ideal office environment. From understanding the rationale behind these guidelines to exploring the factors that influence office temperature, we’ll leave no stone unturned in our quest to crack the code on this age-old question.

In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the world of office temperature, examining the cold hard facts behind the minimum working temperature guideline, as well as the factors that contribute to achieving the perfect balance in the recommended range. We’ll also discuss various temperature management solutions and explore other aspects of creating a comfortable office environment that goes beyond temperature alone.

So, grab your thermometers and put on your thinking caps, as we embark on a journey to decode the UK’s office temperature conundrum!

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Post-Pandemic Mental Health in the Office – UK Workers Polled

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In May 2022, we conducted a poll of 450 working Britons to see how their mental health is faring in the current, post-pandemic, working environment. The ultimate goal of this poll was to gain a picture of how workers’ overall wellness is being supported by their employers, as well as the ways in which their mental state has evolved after returning to the office.

Like many of our other recent studies, we made sure to limit this poll to only UK office workers, as we believe that this group experienced some of the most dramatic changes to their daily routines and workflows throughout the pandemic. Having previously started the day with a commute to their former office space, the lockdowns linked to COVID-19 saw the vast majority of this group pivot to remote work for an extended period of time, swapping their office desk for their kitchen desk as they worked from home.

It was our intention to choose this segment of society, as they should be especially indicative of how the extreme swing in regular work environment can impact workers’ mental health and overall wellness. Additionally, we wanted to see how supported they feel in these regards when compared to pre-lockdown situations.

Below, you can find a summary of the results of our poll:

Mental Health & Returning to the Office

  • 41.11% of office workers said that their mental health hadn’t changed after returning to the office
  • 25.33%, of workers signalled that their mental health improved after returning to the office
  • However, 22.89% of workers reported diminished mental health after returning to their physical workplaces
  • 10.67% of respondents indicated they still haven’t returned to the office

Post-Pandemic Work-Life Balance

  • 60.44% of polled office workers said they have better work-life balance now, when compared to before the pandemic.
  • 21.56% of workers indicated they’ve felt no difference to their work-life balance
  • 18% of the UK’s office workers feel that they’ve had a worse work-life balance since the pandemic

Access to Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

  • Nearly half of employees, or 47.78%, indicated that there is accessible mental health and wellbeing support being provided by their employer
  • 27.56% of office workers have stated that mental health and wellbeing support services are offered but are hard to access
  • 15.78% of workers responded that they aren’t provided any mental health or wellness support by their employer
  • 8.89% of workers were unsure if their employers provide access to mental health and wellness support services, or they haven’t sought them out

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Will the Pandemic Change the Rules of Office Space Size?

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One of the key considerations for office-based businesses is making sure that workspace is efficiently allocated. Over the years, we’ve reached some consensus over what’s the best square metre-to-employee ratio. But with the recent developments brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, things may be just about to change.

In this post we’ll take a look at the current rules of thumb on office space size and whether this will be affected by the pandemic.

How Much Space Is Enough?

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Your Rights as an Employee: Office Occupational Health and Safety

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There are many factors that can influence job satisfaction and productivity levels in the office. Although elements like economic retribution, good working relationships with colleagues, and autonomy are all very important, health and safety considerations cannot be taken out of the equation. The importance of health and safety in the workplace should not be underestimated, as the well-being of both employers and staff depends on it.

Since potential hazards are everywhere, it is important to be familiar with and understand what regulations are in place in order to protect your health and well-being at work, as well as which are your rights as an employee in terms of health and safety. This article provides an overview of the most important aspects of the current health and safety legislation, with the objective of helping you understand better your rights in the office.

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