What is a “great place to work”?
Updated: Sep 1
The workplace is on the agenda as rarely before. Hybrid working has fundamentally changed the role of the office: it is no longer a given where people work, and so it is no longer a given why they come into the office.
Many organisations are investing heavily in their premises, but often without a clear framework. The question of what actually makes a workplace effective is rarely answered systematically. This is a missed opportunity — and a risk. A workplace that does not meet people’s needs demonstrably leads to higher absenteeism, lower engagement and higher staff turnover.
TThis article provides a scientifically grounded framework for anyone involved in accommodation strategy, workplace development or organisational change: from directors and HR managers to facilities advisers and property professionals. It dispels the persistent misconception that a good workplace is all about aesthetics or facilities. The workplace is not just a matter of square metres — it is an organisational issue with measurable effects on people, performance and sustainability.
The workplace is an organisational system
A great working environment only emerges when physical design, social context, technology and leadership are seamlessly aligned. To set the right priorities in this regard, Nassau works with the Hierarchical Framework (4 Levels) and the 8 Interconnected Building Blocks of the Workplace:
Level 1: Basic Requirements (Physiology & Basic Comfort)
Level 2: Functional Suitability (Alignment with daily tasks)
Level 3: Social Quality (Connection & Interaction)
Level 4: Meaning & Identity (Culture & Ambience)
If you invest in an inspiring ambience whilst the basic conditions (such as acoustics or lighting) are lacking, an office refurbishment loses its impact.
Would you like to read the full framework and the scientific evidence?
In our comprehensive white paper, we explore the eight building blocks, the impact of neurodiversity, biophilic design and efficient IoT management — underpinned by 34 international studies.
