Befimmo's ‘Office Barometer’ reveals which types of workspaces ensure employee retention and attract young graduates

Befimmo's ‘Office Barometer’ reveals which types of workspaces ensure employee retention and attract young graduates.

What do today's and tomorrow's workers expect from their workplace? What motivates them to go to the office, and what makes them want to stay at home? These are precisely the questions that Befimmo wished to explore in the first edition of its ‘Office Barometer’, conducted by iVOX among a representative sample of Belgian workers and students. As the end of summer marks a return to the office for many and encourages reflection, this study offers a unique insight into the future of work.

Key figures:

• Two-thirds of workers prefer a hybrid model, alternating between home and office, and 65% wish to maintain the office as a fixed workplace.
• 85% of students see themselves working in an office in the future, and half consider three days a week in the office to be the ideal balance.
• Nearly two-thirds of workers and six out of ten students prefer a fixed workstation to flexible workspaces, which they consider more conducive to calm and structure.
• Two out of three students are in favour of co-working.
• Half of students and a third of workers take a company's environmental criteria into account when choosing their future employer.

Hybrid work prevails, but social contact makes the office indispensable

More than two-thirds of Belgian workers favour a hybrid model, combining remote and office work. Nevertheless, the office remains an essential element for them. In fact, 65% of respondents wish to keep a fixed workstation at the office, one in four prefer never to work from home, and one-third prefer to come to the office three to four days a week.

However, only 11% envisage doing without the office altogether. This means that the office is not losing ground: for nearly half of workers, the connection and collaboration with colleagues is the main motivation for going to the office. This is followed by access to better work equipment (23%) and the possibility of maintaining a clear separation between professional and private life (21%).

In practice, Wednesday and Friday are the most popular remote working days: 23% work from home on Wednesday and 28% on Friday, compared with 17% on Monday, 16% on Tuesday and 18% on Thursday.

This trend is also reflected among students, who do not imagine working exclusively from home in the future. Nearly half of respondents (46%) “absolutely” see themselves going to the office, while 39% favour a combination with remote work. In total, 85% therefore consider the office important, while 15% say they have not yet decided. As for the ideal rhythm, one in two students (50%) believe that three days per week in the office is the right balance.

What makes the office truly attractive in 2025?

According to the survey, both workers and students are looking for a workplace that motivates them, offers calm, and promotes social connection. Much more than just ergonomics or infrastructure, they are looking for spaces that are meaningful, aligned with their identity and their way of working.

Delphine Pennewaert, work psychologist, confirms this trend:

"At work, people need to have a work organisation and spaces that are suited to their objectives. The younger generation is particularly free from strict obedience to hierarchy and favours the pursuit of meaning and enjoyment through professional activity. The quality of social links, as well as the comfort offered by a suitable work organisation and infrastructure, are essential elements."

The fixed workstation remains the preferred choice

A clear majority of workers (64%) and students (60%) prefer a fixed workstation to flexible desks, which they consider more conducive to concentration, creativity, and motivation. This preference for a fixed workstation is particularly strong in Flanders (69%), compared with 58% in Wallonia and 55% in Brussels.

Flexible workstations are less popular

Flexible workstations are less attractive: they offer less concentration and fewer social connections. For instance, 35% of workers in open spaces report difficulty concentrating and completing their tasks, and average satisfaction in such environments reaches only 6.6 out of 10.

Smarter use of space, without reducing its size

65% of workers wish to maintain a fixed workstation in the office. Both workers and students report needing more physical space than they are generally allocated. In addition, two-thirds of workers and 87% of students state that office design increases their motivation to go to work. Meeting rooms are also essential: many come to the office primarily to exchange ideas, attend meetings, or work in teams.

Coworking appeals to young people

Nearly seven out of ten students and just over four out of ten workers are in favour of coworking spaces. Younger generations particularly appreciate the more pleasant atmosphere, the opportunity to work in teams, access to relaxation areas, and networking opportunities.

Plants, light, and atmosphere make the difference

Two-thirds of workers and 87% of students state that office design motivates them to go to work more often. For students, atmosphere is crucial: 87% value an inspiring environment, 86% place great importance on natural light, and 61% would like more plants. Moreover, well-equipped workstations and additional services are highly appreciated: two out of three students believe that a terrace increases their productivity. Sports facilities, bicycle amenities, and showers are also in high demand.

“Today, the challenge for companies is no longer simply to attract talent, but above all to retain it. Providing a pleasant working environment, with tools and infrastructures adapted to new professional realities, meets a fundamental need: recognition. It demonstrates tangibly that the employer values its employees and understands their daily realities. Workplace arrangements must also make sense for employees: a fixed workstation provides stability and security, while a flexible shared space promotes communication and collaboration when essential,” explains work psychologist Delphine Pennewaert.

Sustainability: an asset for employers

Sustainability is becoming a key criterion in choosing a future employer. Half of students and one third of workers take into account a company’s ecological initiatives – renewable energy, eco-friendly furniture, or sustainable mobility – before committing to a job. 

An easily accessible office

Two out of three workers and seven out of ten students believe that proximity to the office is essential. For students, accessibility via public transport plays an important role. However, the main obstacle remains commuting time: 44% of workers take more than 45 minutes to reach the office. Given equal pay, one third of workers would prefer an employer with a better location.

“Employers who continue today to invest in open offices with flexible workstations seem to ignore the research on what makes a good workplace, or simply do not care about employee wellbeing. Autonomy, engagement, and competence are key to worker motivation, and this study once again shows that a flexible workstation prevents full commitment to one’s work and the creation of a personal environment. A flexible desk can create a sense of being less effective, while also weakening the bond with colleagues,” states Stijn Baert, Professor of Labour Economics, who advised on the questionnaire and contributed to the analysis of results.

Urban alchemy in practice

"This Office Barometer confirms what we have long felt as ‘Urban Alchemists’: today’s office must be far more than just a functional space,” explains Jean-Philip Vroninks, CEO of Befimmo. “It must inspire, bring people together, and contribute to the city's dynamism. We create places that make a difference, for companies, but also for the city as a whole. The data from this study provides us and our partners with additional insights to continue realising our ambition.”

About Befimmo’s “Office Barometer”

The “Office Barometer” is an initiative of the property developer Befimmo, developed in collaboration with the research firm iVOX. First published in 2025, the survey will be conducted annually. This first edition is based on a survey carried out between April and June 2025 among a random sample of around 1,000 Belgian workers and 200 students. Representativeness in terms of gender, age, education level, language, and region was carefully ensured. The maximum margin of error is 3.02% for workers and 6.20% for students.