The modern office often fails to match the effectiveness of home working, but targeted design and functionality can close the gap, according to new research from Leesman.

Drawing on a global database of more than 1.5m employee responses, Leesman found that the average workplace experience score stands at 69.5 on its Leesman Index, compared with 79.5 for home working environments. The findings underline the challenge employers face in persuading staff that commuting is worthwhile.

One company that appears to outperform is Framery, whose headquarters in Tampere achieved a score of 82.5, placing it among the top-performing workplaces globally.

Leesman’s broader research across more than 10,000 workplaces suggests many offices fall short of their core purpose. Peggie Rothe, chief insights and research officer at Leesman, said: “The average home, designed for living, supports the average knowledge worker better than the average office, built for working.”

Framery has sought to address this gap by using its headquarters as a testing ground for workplace design, focusing on reducing friction and improving usability. The approach centres on providing flexible, easily accessible spaces that meet different working needs.

The data highlights several areas where this model outperforms global averages. While 66% of office workers report issues with noise, 96% of Framery staff are satisfied with access to soundproof spaces. Meeting and booking systems also score highly, with satisfaction rates of 99% and 97% respectively.

Other metrics point to improvements in collaboration and productivity. Around 89% of employees said the office supports creative thinking, while 97% feel comfortable holding private conversations. The office also supports video calls effectively for 99% of staff, compared with a global average of 75%.

Overall, 90% of employees at the site said the office supports their productivity, significantly above the global benchmark of 67%.

The findings suggest that the appeal of the office is less about location and more about functionality. By removing practical barriers and improving user experience, organisations may be better placed to encourage employees back into shared workspaces.