Executive Summary
In the late summer of 2024, RIBA researched Workplace and Wellbeing conditions among those in practice, using qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey. Over 1,450 people responded to the survey, with younger people being especially willing to take part. Based on percentages of respondents, the findings include:
Overtime is prevalent in the profession. Ninety per cent of employees in practice work more than their contracted hours. On average, employees in practice are contracted for 37.5 hours per week but work 44 hours. Most are not compensated for this additional work time; two-thirds of those who responded to the survey received no compensation and only 6% received payment.
Low pay, exacerbated by additional hours without compensation, means significant numbers of young, early career-stage staff are not receiving the Real Living Wage, as defined by the Real Living Wage Foundation. Seventy-six per cent of Architectural Assistants with Part 1 qualifications and 13% with Part 2 qualifications do not receive the Real Living Wage. By age, sixty-nine per cent of those aged between 21 and 24, and 11% of those between 25 and 34, do not receive the Real Living Wage.
Many of those working in practice rely on additional sources of income to meet their living costs.
Most people, 55%, who work in practice are dissatisfied with their current pay and conditions. Young, early career-stage staff are more likely to be dissatisfied than older, more senior staff.
Fifty-four per cent of practice staff view their role as detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing. Young, early career-stage staff are more likely to describe their role as detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing and be dissatisfied with their pay and conditions than older, more senior staff.
Employing organisations are often seen as not providing sufficient support for their staff. For example, only 27% agree that their organisation ensures they are not put under excessive stress, only 29% agree that support for mental health and wellbeing is adequate, and just 35% agree that their organisation ensures they can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Many challenges of working in practice, such as long hours, are shared by most. However, there is often a marked difference in how practice work is viewed (and remunerated) between early-stage career staff, and those more senior.
Analysis of responses also uncovers differences between different groups of people and different kinds of practice. While these are much less stark, they remain important, and are included in the main report below, where significant.
The qualitative research uncovers further challenges, including those felt by women, those with caring responsibilities, and members of Black, Asian, minority ethnic groups. The report includes quotations from qualitative research participants.
