Work connections, breaks and things that office workers miss

Why do 70% of Singaporean professionals actually miss going to the office?

The pandemic has forced a shift in Singaporean office culture, limiting actual in-office work and allowing more employees to work from home.

However, 70% of Singaporean employees say they are more productive in an office setting, according to a recent survey from Nespresso Professional. The business-to-business arm of coffee brand Nespresso used a respondent pool of 1,000 Singaporean working professionals for its Future of Workplace study.

"It’s amazing to be able to tap into digital and virtual working spaces and environments but sometimes we just miss getting together in the office pantry and bonding over a cup of good coffee or laughing at a silly joke together. Our work styles are all about balance and ensuring we feel productive and happy at the same time," said respondent Anna Haotanto, Partner & COO for ABZD Capital.

Coffeee aside, 59% of the respondents believe that the workplace should not be restricted to a physical office, however 45% cite the need to create a separate work and living environment to focus.

Timed coffee breaks have been one of the ways employees have managed to focus, with 68% saying that it is fundamental to their work routine.

Four out of five of the respondents said the office space fostered a sense of belonging and purpose, while 61% admitted to feeling less connected to their colleagues as work-from-home continued to be the norm. A third of the repsondents said they are more motivated when they are surrounded by and collaborating with colleagues.

With coffee playing an integral part in office culture, Nespresso suggested that business leaders implement collective timed breaks where employees can catch up and talk to each other, even when working from home.

"Now more than ever is human connection important in a workplace future where people might not always be sitting next to their colleagues. Our relationships is what makes us reslilient in the face of adversity because it enables us to stay connected to a bigger sense of purpose," the study concluded.