We recently conducted a national survey to gain insights into the factors that encourage Canadians to work from the office and what they expect from modern workspaces. 

The results provided a wealth of insights. But data is most valuable to you when paired with context. 

In this article, we’ll be doing exactly that—pairing real-world data with modern business context so you can turn these insights into action that benefits your organization. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

What Exactly is Workplace Engagement? 

Before we dive into our data and what it means for you and your business, there’s a common theme from our survey that you need to understand: 

Workplace engagement. 

Today, employee engagement is a hot topic. It pertains to ensuring individuals feel motivated, valued, and connected to their work, which boosts productivity, innovation, and job satisfaction. 

However, as organizations around the globe grapple with bringing their employees back to the office, workplace engagement is becoming increasingly intertwined with employee engagement. 

Workplace engagement focuses on creating environments that foster collaboration, well-being, and alignment with evolving employee expectations.  

It’s no longer enough for the office to be somewhere employees have to go. It needs to be somewhere they want to go. 

Diving Into iQ Offices’ Workplace Engagement Survey Data 

According to our survey results, 43% of respondents say they do not enjoy going to their current office. In fact, 40% said they would rather sit in the middle seat of an airplane for the rest of their life than work in their current office every day. 

This might be because one in three Canadians (34%) say their workplace has not created an encouraging, positive, or enjoyable work environment.  

More than half of respondents feel their workplace is outdated, and 47% believe their work environment is out of touch with their needs.  

Gen Zers and Millennials are particularly vocal about this disconnect, with 50% of each group indicating that their workplace fails to meet their expectations.  

When it comes to boosting workplace engagement and productivity, Canadians identified a few critical factors, including: 

• Having a workspace that provides the right environment to do their best work (92%)  
• A workspace that matches their work style (85%)  
• Workspaces customized based on feedback (80%)  
• Having a best friend at work (58%)  

Crafting office environments where workplace engagement thrives is equal parts art and science.

The Complexities of Workplace Engagement 

Much like employee engagement, workplace engagement can be challenging to get right. 

Why? 

Because, as our survey results show, workplace engagement is multifaceted. It can’t be attributed to one single thing but rather to striking the right balance of a plethora of elements. 

The Two Foundational Pillars of Workplace Engagement 

While workplace engagement is multifaceted, it can be most effectively categorized into two main pillars.  

The Intangible Elements of Workplace Engagement 

Workplace engagement is profoundly influenced by intangible factors that shape the overall employee experience.  

When a workspace is thoughtfully designed around human interactions—with consideration for movement, collaboration, workstyles, and ambiance—it fosters an atmosphere where your employees feel connected and inspired. 

These intangible elements create spaces that resonate with your people on a deeper level. They consider and encompass the emotions and experiences that make people look forward to coming to the office each day. 

To learn more about the intangible elements of workplace engagement, read our article on the topic. 

The Tangible Elements of Workplace Engagement   

Tangible elements that drive workplace engagement are the physical components of a workspace that directly impact employee engagement.  

This includes everything from the design and functionality of the office to the availability of and proximity to amenities, a variety of work areas to suit different preferences, and beyond. Providing options like private offices, collaborative spaces, phone booths, and quiet rooms allows employees to choose environments that best support their tasks and working styles. 

We explore the tangible elements of workplace engagement in greater detail in this resource. 

The Benefits of a Well-Rounded Approach to Workplace Engagement 

Striking the right balance between the tangible and intangible elements of workplace engagement is challenging. Still, when it’s done right, you can better meet the needs and preferences of modern professionals. 

The right workspace will support an encouraging, positive, and enjoyable environment for your team through its ability to adapt to their needs, match their workstyle, and provide them with vital opportunities for social interaction.  

Take the Guesswork Out of Workplace Engagement  

One of the greatest challenges organizations face in establishing workplace engagement is that it’s simply not their core competency. 

It requires you to learn what your people want from their workplace, find the right elements to incorporate into your office environment, and put it all into action. 

But this is easier said than done—it comes with a learning curve that can be costly in time, money, and resources.  

That’s why iQ Offices exists. 

Our core competency is providing unparalleled flexible workspaces, and we’ve spent more than a decade perfecting our craft. We understand what drives workplace engagement, and we’ve incorporated these elements into each of our locations—so that you don’t have to.  

Ready to learn more? We invite you to experience it for yourself—book a tour of your local iQ Offices location today.