Companies allocate more and more resources to the workspace because it has become an essential element in attracting and retaining talents.
"Developers, investors and tenants pay more attention to office space in the context of changes in the habits and expectations of employees at and from work. We see an increase in demand for such projects, in trying to provide companies with the best working conditions for employees. Depending on the facilities and services included, companies are willing to spend up to € 800 / sqm just for office space fit out", said Cezar Florea, Associate Director and Head of Project and Development Services of JLL Romania.

Recent studies have shown that the work environment has become more important in choosing a job than the salary package, which is why companies are willing to invest considerable amounts of money in the workplace, said JLL Romania,
"The budget for office space differs according to the tenants' field of activity. The largest budgets are allocated by IT & C companies, where the struggle to attract talent is fierce. "

Obligations on investment in office design may vary according to the terms agreed in the lease. In some cases, the owners of the office buildings assume these costs, which will be reflected in the rent level, while in other situations, the tenant is responsible for these costs.
According to a JLL study conducted in EMEA, the average cost of office space in Bucharest is comparable to that of other cities in Central and South-East Europe. A company pays 530 euros / sq m in Prague, and in Warsaw and Budapest the cost reaches 500 euro / square metre.
However, costs rise in Western Europe to 880 euros / square metre in London, 835 euro / square metre in Frankfurt or 805 euro / square metre in Amsterdam.
"Despite the technological evolution and the increase in automation we are witnessing in the real estate sector, the human factor remains the central element of office buildings. As a result, creating a memorable experience at work is more important than ever. The work space a company provides to employees can have a direct impact on the level of work satisfaction and productivity", Cezar Florea added.

Workplace design and configuration as well as real estate strategy will evolve so that human experience is at the center of modern workspaces, says JLL's "Future of the Work" study.
"Understanding the ecosystem in which employees’ work has become critical to business success and performance, as only the implementation of aesthetic solutions in office space is no longer sufficient to attract and retain talent. Employees want a space to inspire them, allow them to work together, and the requirements go to providing dedicated areas for medical or relaxation services such as siesta or meditation rooms, medical consulting rooms - nutritionist, esthetician etc. ", says the Future of the Work study.
In this context, there was a concern at the level of companies about the creation of a new job position, namely that of a director responsible for the happiness of the employees.
"Creating a position dedicated exclusively to the well-being of employees is becoming a prime challenge for companies around the world. The establishment of the Chief Happiness Officer is desirable for 33% of the employees surveyed. This manager should only deal with the well-being of employees and ensure a pleasant workplace experience. The idea has sparked positive reactions in countries such as India, the US, South Africa and China. The least convinced of the importance of such a manager are the workers in the Netherlands, Japan, France and Germany", the report said. (source: forbes.ro)