Introduction
Rapid shifts in the working landscape leads to evolution of working culture
As the contours of work shift across the UK, a range of disparities between different groups are explored in the report, offering insights into the mix of attitudes towards commuting routines, workplace culture and habits. Through this exploration, it is clear that the contemporary workforce seeks a harmonious blend of flexibility and routine, driven by the ebb and flow of daily life.
The first Landmark Business Style Barometer Report was built from a survey of 2,000 respondents, all of whom work in an office either part or full-time. It explores a range of factors that are contributing to the decisions made to return to offices, work from home, or embrace a combination of the two choices. Alongside this, the report delves into the changing communication between colleagues in both of these settings.
A deep dive into the lingo of the modern office reveals an ever-evolving symphony of acronyms and expressions. In a world where communication is paramount, the use of acronyms stands as both a bridge and a barrier. Our report highlights the nuanced role these linguistic shortcuts play, from fostering camaraderie to potential exclusion. The journey through our findings unveils a diverse landscape, where interpretations of acronyms create a mosaic of meaning.
Our latest findings, presented in the first Landmark Business Style Barometer, shed light on the multifaceted nature of today's office environment.
As the world of work continues to evolve at a record pace, employees are adapting their new working patterns in tandem. Why, when and where people are working is constantly being shaken up. For some, this means a return to regular attendance in an office, and for some it is increasing flexibility to own and control their working days. For others, it means settling into a remote working lifestyle.
Landmark’s Business Style Barometer found that on the whole, office workers remain tied to the hours of a traditional working day, defined as 9am - 5:30pm. These hours continue to be the prominent working pattern, with 51% of survey respondents stating this as their current arrangement.
Yet the non-linear working day is still disrupting the status quo. When office goers aren’t working traditional hours, an early morning stint was most popular, with 27% of respondents stating that they generally started work before 9am, compared to only 7% who said they worked late after 5.30pm. According to age, 18-24-year-olds are the most likely to stay late and work after 5.30pm (16%).
The Business Style Barometer also found that compared to last year, across all days of the week, people are increasingly being drawn to the physical workplace. However, despite increased office presence, regional differences highlight that attitudes towards fixed working days and commuting patterns remain varied.
25% of respondents from Yorkshire and the Humber revealed that they don’t have a fixed working or commuting pattern, rather, the days they go into the office vary week by week. This is compared to just 7% of Londoners who claim their working days in the office and commute change every week. The national average for flexible working patterns stands at 13%.
These figures reflect the fact that for many, flexibility remains important when it comes to commuting patterns and office days, as employers try to balance business needs and workers’ wishes.
Looking more broadly across the country, a familiar picture emerges. Working a five-day week in the office feels like a distant memory for many, with Tuesday (65%), Wednesday (65%) and Thursday (59%) remaining the most popular days for office goers.
So why, in an increasingly flexible working environment, are people continuously heading to the office? Landmark’s latest research has found that the main driver into the office is social value. 45% of respondents said interacting with colleagues was the most beneficial aspect of the office. This was closely followed by collaboration with colleagues on work projects (43%). This highlights that colleagues still have a desire to connect face-to-face with others and are happy, even keen, to invest in their in-person relationships with fellow employees. In the post-Covid era, it is perhaps unsurprising that employees are eager to re-build connections after working remotely for so long.
When looking at the detail, women (48%) tended to value the opportunity to interact with colleagues in the office a little more than men (40%). Yet, face-to-face meetings were valued slightly more highly by men (40%) compared to women (33%). Regional factors play a part, too: 35% of Londoners said they value the office for the comfort of the broader work environment provided by their employer, compared to the national average of 23% .
We are seeing an uptick in office attendance, particularly during the middle of the week. Whilst the usual 9-5, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays remains popular, this report makes clear that office workers are increasingly looking for flexibility when it comes to office and workspace. A tailored and flexible approach is therefore essential for employees and employers alike if businesses are to foster a workplace culture that suits as many as possible.
What people value about the office is highly individualised, varying due to a range of factors, and employers must remember this when deciding on the best workspace for their employees. From the office space itself, right the way through to lifestyle additions and bike storage, work ‘perks’ are becoming increasingly important for employees, as they look to make the most out of their workplace.
When looking at what people want when they get to the office, more than half of respondents (51%) reported a personal workstation as most important, for creating an environment they enjoy working in, showcasing that customisation and personalisation remain top priorities for employees. Access to a meeting room came in second at 27%.
According to age, a personal workspace was more important for those aged 55-64 (61%), compared to just 37% of 18-24 year olds. Comparatively, lifestyle amenities such as a games room, theatre room, and a selection of drinks - both soft and alcoholic - were more important to 18-24-year-olds (32%), compared to just 6% of 55-64-year-olds. This was true for bike storage with 25% of 18-24 year olds saying this was important compared to 2% of 55-64 year olds.
“Workers who take advantage of flexible working opportunities leave work-from-home environments for a reason. Our research found that the number one reason for this is having the opportunity to interact and work collaboratively with colleagues, hence, the space, service and amenities that offices offer should be better than the work-from-home conditions to support people coming together. With this in mind, Landmark takes a flexible approach to offices that results in engaged communities among colleagues and clients alike.”
Offices are often a melting pot of people of all ages, backgrounds and interests, meaning the language used between them can be varied and ever-changing. Keeping up with the shifts in the way colleagues speak to each other is not always an easy task, with new words, phrases or metaphors being put to use all the time. However, the culture of a workplace can hinge heavily on the interactions between colleagues, meaning their use of language is intrinsically tied to the ‘feeling’ of an office.
Landmark wanted to delve into some of the similarities, shared experiences and differences of some of this language, using office workers' understanding of acronyms as a barometer.
An acronym is an abbreviation of a phrase formed from the first letters of the words it represents. They are often used in the workplace between colleagues, whether that be in writing or spoken.
According to our survey, over half of respondents said the use of acronyms in the office setting can sometimes cause confusion (53%), so their use may not be the most inclusive form of expression. More than one in 10 (12%) believe they can cause workplace exclusion. Alongside this, nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) reported that using acronyms added time to communications in the workplace. In London, this number was even more striking, with 41% agreeing that their use added time to their conversations with colleagues.
Despite this, 10% of people nationally thought that use of the shorthand created a sense of team spirit. Nearly a fifth (18%) of London-based respondents reported this feeling.
Of those listed, the most commonly identified acronym was ‘w/c’, with 38% of respondents recognising this shorthand. This was closely followed by ‘B2B’, which 37% recognised. On the other hand, the least commonly recognised were ‘WIFIM’ and ‘NRN’, with just 3% saying they know what these abbreviations mean. Surprisingly, nearly a fifth of respondents did not recognise any of the acronyms listed.
Age-centric analysis illuminates the preferences of different generations. A quarter of 18-24-year-olds (25%) did not know any of the shorthand, while only 15% of 35-44-year-olds had the same response, possibly suggesting older millennials are savvier here.
However, upon closer inspection, there were some differences between what people thought each acronym represented, corroborating the idea that the use of some of these terms might cause some confusion in the workplace.
While some of these discrepancies could be deciphered from context, or by industry, there are occasions where multiple definitions could legitimately apply.
Where a lack of understanding did occur, most said they would Google the meaning (64%), though over half (55%) said they would ask a colleague, potentially stirring discussion and an opportunity for bonding between them.
Top 10 most recognised acronyms
Acronym
% of respondents to recognise the acronym
W/C
38%
B2B
37%
KPI
32%
W/E
29%
TOIL
26%
DND
20%
COB
WIP
BAU
19%
EOW
18%
Top 10 least recognised acronyms
G2G
10%
SOW
8%
BID
7%
MTD
IAM
5%
EOT
LET
4%
SMB
NRN
3%
WIIFM
The landscape of modern work culture has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven initially by a global pandemic and subsequently propelled by a growing consensus among both employers and employees to seek a flexible working dynamic. This report explores the changing world of commuting routines, motivations, and the underlying dynamics that define office life today.
It is evident that the modern workforce is navigating a delicate balance between the familiar rhythms of tradition and embracing flexibility. The insights drawn from our inaugural Landmark Business Style Barometer highlight the resurgence of office engagement, particularly during the midweek days. The report also highlights the allure of social connection, the camaraderie of colleagues, and the richness of face-to-face collaborations, with these reasons emerging as the driving forces behind affinity for the office.
Moreover, the report shines a spotlight on the diverse aspirations and preferences that shape the modern office experience. From personal workspaces to vibrant amenities, the call for customisation echoes resoundingly. Through the lens of age, gender and location, we see a variety of preferences, underscoring the importance of catering to individual needs in cultivating thriving workplace communities.
The report also navigates the intricate labyrinth of office lingo. Acronyms, an ubiquitous language of their own, are used as an example to show the power of language to forge connections or inadvertently create barriers within the workspace.
Insights gleaned from the study highlight the paramount importance of flexibility as employers look to provide spaces for colleagues that inspire engagement and encourage community, alongside highlighting the importance of clear written communication between employees when they are physically apart.
This market survey was conducted by OnePoll in July 2023. 2,000 respondents were polled across the UK. Raw data available upon request.
Landmark gets the flexible workspace offering right. With over 20 years of experience behind them, every member of the Landmark team has a deep understanding of what will make their clients’ lives easier and therefore consistently delivers on this. Everything works seamlessly, from the service and amenities clients enjoy, right through to the flexible and all-inclusive contracts - creating a setting for businesses and individuals to thrive.
Landmark has a team of over 160 people supporting 11,500+ clients daily, from fast-growing companies to established SMEs and global blue chips. Reflecting its diverse range of clients, Landmark’s two brands, Landmark and The Space, provide a varied range of work environments to accommodate the ever-changing needs of different businesses. Ranging from custom designed private offices to fully-furnished entire floors – as well as co-working spaces, virtual offices and hire-on-demand meeting rooms – there’s something for everyone.
The constant among these differing spaces is the warm, friendly, and professional experience each Landmark client receives. Landmark goes beyond just providing an office space in a good location - every business interaction and working environment is designed to reflect their clients’ lifestyles and needs.
Creating these engaging environments is at the core of helping Landmark’s clients achieve their full potential, in dynamic, well-connected locations. Landmark’s people are central to this ethos, as is their proactive ‘consider it done’ approach.
Landmark currently operates 41 buildings across seven UK cities. 33 of their offices are in prime London locations, with the remaining eight offices across towns and cities in England and Scotland.
To find out more, visit: www.landmarkspace.co.uk
Most common understanding
Other definitions
w/c
Week commencing
Toilet, water closet
Close of business
Cost of business, caution on board
Do not disturb
Did not deliver, detention and demurrage
PO
Purchase order
Post office
Business to business
Back-to-back, back to basics, brand to brand
Business improvement district
Break it down, twice daily, bidding
EOM
End of month
End of message, every other month
Good to go
Got to go, government to government, group to group
