Why Office Comfort Is Now a Strategic Priority for Facilities Management

The message for facilities professionals is clear. If the workplace is not working people cannot perform at their best. Noise poor layout inconsistent temperature and a lack of variety in workspace types are all recurring issues. The study found that three quarters of employees struggle with noise and distractions and that most find the office more disruptive than working from home.

Yet this is not a rejection of the office. In fact almost all respondents still see it as central to the future of work. That statistic signals a turning point for workplace and facilities leaders and shows that the office remains vital but must evolve.

Facilities managers now have a unique chance to reposition themselves as strategic enablers of performance. The next phase of workplace management will be defined by how well organisations can use physical environments to support focus collaboration and wellbeing. The essentials such as acoustics lighting temperature control and cleanliness are once again at the centre of attention.

Ian Baker director of Humans and Places and chair of the IWFM Workplace Special Interest Group said that there are no quick wins without first understanding how people work and what gets in their way. Facilities managers are in the perfect position to lead that discovery. By gathering data observing behaviours and listening to feedback they can identify where friction exists and turn that insight into meaningful action.

This can include rethinking zoning to separate noisy collaboration areas from quiet work zones investing in sound absorbing materials or introducing booking systems that allow employees to choose the right type of space for each task. It also includes maintaining temperature control air quality and cleanliness as active priorities rather than reactive fixes.

Rob Frank chief executive of Unispace explained that the office is not in crisis but in progress. For facilities teams that progress means creating adaptable environments that change with workforce needs. It also means working closely with HR IT and sustainability teams to design joined up strategies that connect comfort with culture performance and carbon reduction.

This research reminds the industry that comfort is not cosmetic but strategic. The future of facilities management will be built on environments that enable people to perform at their best. Those who prioritise comfort acoustics and engagement will not only solve existing problems but will also redefine what an effective and human centred workplace looks like in the years ahead.