The future workplace: 'Smart' offices, electronic communication and high-tech perks

Dive Brief:

Almost 60% of surveyed employees believe they will work in a so-called "smart office" with higher-tech capabilities within the next five years, according to the Dell and Intel Future Workforce Study, conducted by PSB, released Monday.
Looking at global technology trends shaping the modern workplace, the study polled 3,801 full time employees from businesses of varying sizes from 10 countries and across industries. Of those surveyed, 44% think their workplace isn't "smart," or high-tech, enough and want a work environment that makes more intuitive decisions about employee habits, such as temperature or lighting, by using data.
In particular, almost 70% of the millenial (defined as age 18-34) workforce want to be in a smart office within the next five years. Of the younger workforce, 42% said they would quite a job with substandard technology and 82% said technology in the workplace influences the jobs they take.

Dive Insight:

The majority of workers also said they would rather have high-tech perks, such as augmented or virtual reality, artificial intelligence assistance and Internet of Things, than perks such as ping-pong, an office dog or free food.

Workers want, and in some cases expect, technology to make the workplace more efficient and intuitive to their needs. But the future of communications may soon end as we know it. Half of all employees surveyed—and 60% of millennials—believe the advancement in communication technology and the prevalence of a remote workforce will in the near future make face-to-face conversations obsolete, even though almost 60% of employees prefer in-person conversations.

As technology continues to advance, employees have increased expectations of what their employers offer. For 35% of those surveyed, the technology they use at home is more cutting-edge. Another 46% said tech-related issues, including slow, glitchy or broken systems, are the biggest time-wasters at current jobs. Employees are also using desktops and land lines, more than laptops or tablets and smartphones. To keep up with demands and retain employees, many companies will likely turn to innovative technology to create a more flexible workplace.

"The workplace is reaching a tipping point," said Allison Dew, vice president, global client solutions marketing, Dell. "Today’s workers have a growing expectation that their employers integrate the latest technologies seamlessly and securely into their working lives."