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WHAT OFFICE PERKS REALLY MATTER? YOU’D BE SURPRISED

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent with Blumberg Capital Partners
  • source: CNBC

CNBC.com

Forget job perks like access to the company car or a cushy expense account. Keeping and recruiting employees might be as easy as keeping the bathrooms clean.

One-in-three employees surveyed by Blumberg Capital Partners, a U.S. investment firm that specializes in commercial real estate, have accepted or left a job due to the condition of the building or the amenities.

"Office conditions, indeed, directly impact employee retention, recruitment, and productivity," said Philip Blumberg, chairman and CEO of Blumberg Capital, in a statement.

The biggest complaint among the 500 office workers surveyed was extreme temperatures in the office followed closely by unclean restrooms, outdated furniture, persistent odors, leaky ceilings, crime and rodents or insect problems.

When asked to write-in their demands for a better workplace, they came up with some basic needs like hot water in bathrooms. Below are some of those requests:

"Mace for protection."
"Area to lay down for a quick nap during lunch."
"Men's room instead of unisex bathroom."
"I wish the building had windows."
"Take better care of the grounds, fix the kitchen, and make it not seem like a nursing home."
"Security measures such as metal detectors and security guards. Bullet-proof glass would be an asset."
"Some of the bathrooms don't have hot water."
"Fix the roof so it doesn't leak."
"Free parking."
"Better vending machine selection."

The survey, commissioned to gauge the impact of office building conditions on worker attitudes, also found that one-fifth of employees said their office building's condition decreased their productivity and motivation.

Matthew Heavener
ERA Heavener Realty Co. - Jacksonville, FL
Great information.  Thank you for contributing.  They may want to add "Happy coworkers", since the owner usually is responsible for those also, and they are typically part of the decor;-)
Apr 25, 2008 06:06 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"
I could see that.....working in a crappy place...bringing your moral down.....thank God....I don't :)
Apr 25, 2008 08:14 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

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