RICS has published the second in a series of research reports into Property in the Economy.
The latest thought-provoking report explores what will undoubtedly become a high profile theme for organisations in both the public and private sectors.
Entitled Workplace Design and Productivity: are they inextricably linked?, this research, carried out by Drivers Jonas with support from Woods Bagot, includes a review of previous research.
Brian Thompson of Drivers Jonas feels that the research will help elevate the issue of productivity higher up on the agendas of organisations and harmonise property and business decisions.
He said: "On the one hand, the losses to UK plcs arising out of ineffective workplaces are quite staggering, amounting to more than £135bn per annum.
"However, it is also clear from models we have prepared that an increase in occupier productivity of only a fraction of 1% can equate to the entire annual rates or utilities' bill."
Included in the research are clear recommendations setting out actions for the property industry in general, such as the need to greater understand the needs of occupiers before, during and after property is procured or even following refurbished.
A simple self-assessment questionnaire is also included, allowing organisations to assess their awareness of productivity in the workplace.
Louis Armstrong, RICS Chief Executive comments: ''For most businesses, people are the biggest cost, often followed by premises. This reflects the critical importance of both to the success or failure of any operation.
"While Human Resources has, rightly, developed into a relatively sophisticated discipline in many businesses, too often scant attention is paid to the efficient use of property, and to the relationships between people, place and productivity. That is why this report is so valuable – and so timely, given the challenging economic context of the day."
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