Poorly designed and inadequately maintained workplaces are draining the UK economy of more than £71 billion a year, according to new research from facilities and security services company Mitie.
A survey of 3,000 UK employees conducted by the firm reveals that workers are losing, on average, 68 minutes each week to minor but recurring inefficiencies—such as trying to find a meeting room with reliable internet access or waiting for slow lifts.
These seemingly small frustrations, when scaled across the entire UK workforce, are costing employers an estimated £485.2 million in lost salary productivity every week. Over the course of a year, this translates to a staggering £71.4 billion economic hit.
The findings point to a critical link between the quality of workplace design and employee performance. More than half of respondents (51 per cent) cited a poorly maintained workplace as one of the leading causes of job dissatisfaction. Conversely, 88 per cent said a safe and functional working environment directly contributed to their overall job satisfaction.
The data also suggests a strong correlation between employee contentment and their perception of their employer. Nearly 90 per cent of workers who were satisfied with their physical workplace were also satisfied with their employer. In contrast, only 23 per cent of those dissatisfied with their surroundings felt positive about their organisation.
Mark Caskey, managing director of projects at Mitie, said: “Across the UK, office environments are riddled with friction points that undermine both satisfaction and productivity. But the good news is that many of these issues are entirely within the employer’s control—such as ensuring tech works seamlessly and that spaces are fit for both collaboration and quiet work.”
The report also challenges the assumption that recreational perks, such as office gyms and social areas, are major drivers of employee wellbeing. Just 29 per cent of those surveyed said such amenities meaningfully contributed to their job satisfaction, suggesting that functionality trumps flashiness when it comes to workplace design.
Caskey added: “When workplaces are designed with people in mind and managed effectively, they become powerful enablers of collaboration and transformation. They’re not only more productive and satisfying—they’re places people want to be. That’s good for staff retention, good for business and, ultimately, good for the wider economy.”
The research adds weight to the growing call for employers to reassess how their physical environments are supporting—or undermining—staff performance. With hybrid work models becoming the norm, businesses that fail to invest in purposeful, user-friendly office design may find themselves facing hidden costs in the form of disengaged teams and underwhelming output.
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Poorly designed offices cost UK economy over £71bn a year