Unispace brought together industry leaders and clients in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to unveil the Global Workplace Insights Report 2025 – A Moment of Clarity. The conversations underscored a universal challenge: noise and distractions remain the top barrier to workplace productivity worldwide.
Key Takeaways from Singapore
- Heightened sensitivity to noise: Singapore ranks second globally—just behind New Zealand—for noise and distraction sensitivity, measuring 5.7% higher than the global average.
- Office presence remains strong: Despite these concerns, local employees spend 64% of their weekly hours in the office, 13% more than the global average.
- Talent attraction at risk: Over a third of employees globally feel their current workplaces do not help attract or retain talent.
- What people really want: Calm, comfort, and customization matter far more than perks or gimmicks.
Customized spaces of TripAdvisor, Singapore to create calm and comfortable ambiance for employees
Key Takeaways from Malaysia
- Different rhythms of work: Malaysian employees are less likely to work from home than their global peers, but spend 34% more time in “third spaces” such as cafés and co-working hubs.
- Return-to-office drivers: Learning and mentoring top the list of reasons Malaysians come back to the office.
- Hybrid in practice: 28% of Malaysian businesses have fully in-office mandates, while 53% embrace hybrid models.
- Demand for flexibility: Employees increasingly expect adaptive environments that balance focus, collaboration, and choice.
Flexible space of VaynerMedia, Singapore balances employees' focus, collaboration and choice
Building the Workplace of 2030
To make the launch events more interactive, guests in both cities were invited to co-create their vision of the ideal workplace in 2030. Teams brainstormed layouts, amenities, and policies that would nurture productivity, well-being, and a sense of belonging—putting the report’s insights into action.
As the 2025 report makes clear, the future of work isn’t about flashy perks. It’s about quiet, comfort, and environments tailored to how people actually work, ensuring businesses can attract talent and keep them thriving well into the next decade.
Special thanks to The Senator Group as our partner to host the event in Kuala Lumpur.
