Law firms are forging ahead of other sectors when it comes to designing a decent workplace environment for their employees, but risk losing out on staff productivity by almost a quarter if they do not do more, new research has claimed.

The survey of more than 200 managers in the legal, media and financial services sectors by architects Gensler found that 54% of legal respondents rated their workplace environment as 'very good' or 'good'. Just 3% complained that it was 'poor', compared to 31% in the media and 21% in financial services, but 22% said they would be more productive if their workplace was improved.


The research suggested that 78% of legal staff link their job satisfaction with their workplace, with 39% saying it would influence whether they accepted or rejected a job offer.


Personal space, climate control and lighting were the main factors rated by respondents across the board of professions.


However, law firms were more sympathetic about concerns over office layouts, with two-thirds of staff working from a private office, compared to 24% of financial workers.


The report said City law firms were responding to the need to respect employees' wishes when it came to private offices, while also providing practical areas where staff could easily exchange views. Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance, for example, mixed private offices with communal areas when they set up shop in Canary Wharf.


Allen & Overy partner Andrew Clarke explained: 'We introduced a combination of private offices and team working spaces so our staff can choose the buzz or stimulation they need to work at their best.'


Sir George Cox, chairman of the Design Council, said businesses often failed to realise the impact of office design on their employees and clients. 'Too many organisations have invested heavily in premises, staff and technology without realising that proper attention to the design of the place... could leverage that investment substantially,' he said.