Poorly designed workplaces are quietly undermining the UK economy. According to new research from Mitie, workplace inefficiencies could be costing businesses as much as 71.4 billion pounds every year. That is not a long-term projection. That is what friction costs right now.
And in a hybrid world, friction is a choice.
The Real Cost of Workplace Inefficiency
Mitie surveyed 3,000 employees across the UK and found that workers lose an average of 68 minutes each week to preventable issues. That includes struggling to find a room with good internet, waiting for slow lifts, or searching for somewhere to collaborate.
Scaled across the national workforce, that lost time equates to a weekly salary cost of 485.2 million pounds. Across the year, the economic cost adds up to 71.4 billion.
This isn’t about minor inconveniences. It is about how design, or the lack of it, quietly disrupts the rhythm of work and drains productivity one small moment at a time.
Workplace Satisfaction Starts With Functionality
The report reveals a clear connection between workplace quality and how people feel about their jobs.
Fifty-one percent of respondents said that a poorly maintained workplace was a major factor in their dissatisfaction. By contrast, 88 percent said that having a safe environment contributed to their job satisfaction.
The correlation between physical space and overall sentiment is striking. Eighty-nine percent of employees who were satisfied with their workplace were also satisfied with their employer. Among those unhappy with their environment, only 23 percent said the same.
And while much attention has been given to office perks and lifestyle extras, only 29 percent of employees said that recreational amenities like gyms or breakout areas contributed to their overall satisfaction. The basics still matter most.
Designing Workplaces That Enable Performance
The best companies are no longer treating the workplace as static real estate. They are treating it as a living platform for work. A tool for helping people do their best work more often, together and apart.
That means prioritising reliability over novelty. Functional tech over fancy furniture. And spaces that flex with the needs of teams, not just the layout of floorplans.
People want to spend more time in them. People thrive and communities benefit, leading to a workforce that ultimately helps the economy gain critical momentum.
Friction Is Fixable
This isn’t a real estate problem. It is a design problem. A strategy problem. A leadership problem.
Poorly designed workplaces are expensive not just because they cost time, but because they signal the wrong things. They tell employees their time does not matter. That collaboration is optional. That doing great work is harder than it needs to be.
We can fix this. We just have to start designing for people first.
Ready? Book a demo with our hybrid experts.
