Four Ways Your Workplace Is Underperforming — and How to Fix It

June 11, 2025
2 min read

Written by

Kristin Wastney

Since COVID, the way we work has changed dramatically. Hybrid schedules, flexible hours, rapid team growth, and cultural shifts have all reshaped how we use our workspaces. But most offices haven’t kept up.

Workplace Health Check
Is every square metre working for you?

At Designwell, we’ve spent the last few years helping businesses understand why their spaces aren’t working — and what to do about it. Again and again, we see the same issues:

1. Wasted or Underused Space

Is every square metre working for you? Often, whole areas go unused while others are overcrowded. The result: inefficiency, frustration, and missed opportunity.

2. Constant Distractions

Noise, interruptions, nowhere to focus. In the push for collaboration, many spaces have become chaotic — and it’s costing your team their productivity.

3. Inflexible Layouts

Your people are working in more agile ways than ever — but your space hasn’t caught up. If your environment can’t adapt, it becomes a blocker instead of a support.

4. A Flat Culture

When the space feels uninspiring, people do too. If your office doesn’t reflect your culture or brand, it’s no wonder your team seems disengaged.

Inflexible spaces - your team is trying to be agile, your space isn't.
Noise. Disruptions. No room to focus?

Curious about how your space is really performing?

That’s where our Workplace Design Health Check™ comes in. It’s a focused, expert-led assessment that helps you pinpoint what’s working, what’s not, and how to make your space better — without the need for a full renovation.

We assess six key components:

  • Layout & Use of Space
  • Productivity & Distractions
  • Flexibility & Hybrid Use
  • Wellbeing & Ergonomics
  • Brand & Identity
  • People Experience

You’ll walk away with:

  • A fresh perspective from experienced workplace design experts
  • A tailored, strategic plan based on your business needs
  • Clear, actionable recommendations to optimise your space — no fluff, no overhauls, just insight that works

Social space for Deloitte, Hamilton
Social space for Deloitte, Hamilton