Future of the Workplace study launches in Exeter

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Monday, August 13, 2018 - 12:04pm

Businesses in and around Exeter are being urged to get involved in the new Future of the Workplace initiative to help understand the best ways of improving workspaces in and around the city.

Backed by Exeter City Council and Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Future of the Workplace is looking at best practice around productivity and well-being of employees at different types of organisations.

A new survey has just gone live that is gathering data on different workspaces and work initiatives covering physical space, technology and well-being. The information will be used to shed light on workplaces across the Exeter business community, highlight best practice and make recommendations in a report that will go to the city council, MP Ben Bradshaw, key local organisations and businesses.

Exeter-based work transformation specialists Space helped kick-start the initiative and are hoping companies get involved.

Tim Wadsworth, Director of Space, said: “Exeter is already the region’s fastest-growing city and has a huge number of exciting brands and fantastic workspaces. Future of the Workspace wants to highlight that but also provide guidance backed by data on what works and is conducive to creating happy, motivated and productive teams and great working environments.

“How we work, and the technology that allows us to work more effectively, is changing fast, so we need to understand what is happening, what is working well, and how we can learn from each other to make the most of opportunities.”

Organisations in and around Exeter can complete the survey at bit.ly/FoftheW

By doing so, anonymised data feeds into the overall report, but companies will also receive a personalised report setting out their information against the local average ‘benchmark’ on different indicators including well-being, use of technology and workplace employee initiatives.

Organisations including Classic Pod Company, Corkscrew, Cosmic, Crowdcube, Expedite, Humanscale, OTB Eveling, Office Labs, Oxygen House, Stephens Scown LLP, the University of Exeter, The Workplace Wellness Company along with representatives from Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and Exeter Chamber were involved in a gathering earlier this year to help shape the Future of the Workplace initiative.

Jo Caine, Exeter Chamber director and owner of Exeter-based Cathedral Appointments, said: “The physical aspects of a workspace, technology and how we support employees are at the heart of any modern business. The survey is a great way of helping us understand what innovation is happening, what is working well and what companies need help. The data will be invaluable to informing business leaders.”

The initiative has also seen the launch of the Space Awards which will recognise great work environments in and around Exeter. The awards are open for entry now through to late September, with the ceremony happening in November.

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