New Kinnarps report reveals how the workplace environment strengthens employer branding
Kinnarps has released its latest report, “The Office’s Impact on the Race for Talent,” addressing one of the most pressing questions on today’s job market: How can organizations create environments that attract and retain the best people?
The report is aimed at business leaders, HR professionals, and those responsible for people, culture, and performance. Drawing on data from Kinnarps, Gartner, Gallup, McKinsey, and the World Economic Forum, the study shows that a well-designed office can serve as a competitive advantage in the race for top talent.
Wellbeing – The New Currency of the Workplace
According to the report, employee health and wellbeing have overtaken salary as key drivers in talent attraction and retention. Organizations investing in wellbeing record up to 78% lower absenteeism and save an average of EUR 350,000 annually (Gallup, 2025). Furthermore, companies with engaged teams achieve 23% higher profitability.
“The office is no longer just a place to work – it’s a strategic tool for building employer branding and supporting people,” says Maria Lorenc, HR Manager & Workplace Expert at Kinnarps Polska. “Companies that invest in their work environment are investing in the success of their teams.”
The Hidden Risks of Hybrid Work
The report highlights that unclear hybrid work policies increase employee turnover risk by 12% (Gartner, 2023). It’s not about whether hybrid work is adopted, but how it is implemented. When offices lose their role as spaces for community and collaboration, the sense of belonging diminishes – followed by engagement and loyalty. Research by Kinnarps (2024) shows that employees need to spend at least three days a week in the office to maintain team cohesion and a strong organizational culture.
Science Supports In-Person Collaboration
A team from Yale University demonstrated that face-to-face interactions activate brain regions related to social connection more strongly than online meetings. In-person meetings enhance creativity, focus, and networking – all vital for innovative teams. Thus, the office must now offer more than workstations – it should be a hub of connection, inspiration, and collaboration.
Upskilling – Learning as a Strategic Imperative
According to the World Economic Forum (2025), 59% of employees will need to acquire new skills by 2030. Kinnarps underscores that upskilling – continuous learning within the workplace – is now a key element of HR strategy. Seven in ten employees say that learning opportunities strengthen their bond with the company, while eight in ten say it gives their work greater purpose (LinkedIn, 2024).
Five Generations, One Workplace
Modern organizations bring together five generations – from Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha – each with unique work styles and expectations. A well-designed office can transform these differences into strengths, fostering collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange across generations.
The Office of the Future – A Space That Creates Value
“The Office’s Impact on the Race for Talent” report concludes that the office has become a strategic tool for talent attraction and retention. To fulfil this role, it must go beyond neutrality to actively support wellbeing, productivity, and collaboration. Kinnarps offers practical recommendations on how to achieve these goals.
How can your office become your most effective employer branding tool?
Download the full report free of charge at: https://www.kinnarps.com/knowledge/how-the-office-can-help-attract-and-retain-the-right-talent/
