How does the workplace impact productivity?

In 2016, the Stoddart Review was the first major analysis of the impact of the workplace on productivity. In the legal industry, where every minute counts, understanding how workplace changes impact productivity and client interactions is crucial.

The "productive" workplace in legal environments

In the original Stoddart Review, 86% of employees in top-performing workplaces stated their environment enabled productivity. Fast forward to recent studies, and hybrid work has transformed these perceptions. A 2022 survey of legal professionals revealed that 70% preferred remote work at least part-time, noting increased productivity and fewer distractions when working outside the office. This is echoed in findings from the Leesman Index, where only 64% of office workers in 2021 felt their workplaces supported productivity, compared to 84% who reported being most productive at home.

For law firms, this shift highlights an important opportunity to re-evaluate how office spaces support focused legal work, as well as collaboration among teams. Balancing the demands of confidentiality and concentration with the flexibility employees now expect can directly impact performance and retention.

The evolving role of the office in the legal sector

In 2016, 91% of UK employees worked exclusively in-office. However, one recent survey in the US shows how this has changed, with fewer than 50% of respondents working in the office every day of the week. The Stanford Institute reports that hybrid models now dominate the professional landscape, with 28.2% of employees working in a mixed model.

For legal professionals, this shift has broader implications. Hybrid work enables greater flexibility for client meetings and preparation time but also raises questions about effective knowledge-sharing across firms. Unlike other sectors, legal teams often need both high levels of collaboration and uninterrupted time for research and case preparation. Designing an office environment that can adapt to these dual needs is essential.

Navigating office distractions and maintaining confidentiality

The Stoddart Review cited interruptions as a significant barrier to productivity, with employees being distracted every four minutes in a traditional office setup. Legal professionals need environments that reduce noise and ensure client confidentiality.

While distractions like emails and notifications can follow employees home, remote work often offers greater control over interruptions. This is particularly valuable in legal work, where client calls and case details demand a high level of concentration and confidentiality.

The office design challenge

The original Stoddart Review highlighted noise levels as the top inhibitor of productivity, with only 30% of office workers satisfied with noise control. In the legal sector, where focused, private work is crucial, office design plays a critical role in meeting these needs. Firms adopting hybrid or hotdesking setups must be mindful of how these changes impact employee satisfaction and productivity.

For instance, flexible design and designated quiet areas can support the unique demands of legal work. This approach not only boosts productivity but can also improve the experience for employees who return to the office, providing spaces conducive to both quiet work and necessary collaboration.

The current state of workplace productivity in legal firms

As the Stoddart Review noted, a human-centric approach remains key to enhancing productivity. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show only marginal productivity growth, with UK output per hour just 2.1% above pre-pandemic levels. For legal firms, an investment in thoughtful workplace design could help break this stagnation by aligning the office more closely with the nature of legal work.

In a field where efficiency and trust are paramount, the office environment must reflect these values. Legal professionals need spaces that enable focused work while supporting teamwork and mentorship.

A new era for the legal workplace

If a new Stoddart Review were conducted today, it would likely examine the unique requirements of professional sectors like law, where hybrid work and productivity intersect in distinct ways. Law firms can benefit from exploring what productivity means in this new era, assessing how the office can better serve as a space for client interactions, team collaboration, and focused work.

For legal professionals who now divide time between home and office, understanding these dynamics is essential to shaping an environment that enhances productivity, supports client needs, and aligns with modern expectations of flexibility.

Written by Rachel Houghton, MD, Business Moves Group