Our office designs have gone through multiple changes over the years. From offices that were all cubicles to offices with substantial open spaces to offices with areas for recreation and fun, all these office trends seem to come and go with different combinations.
Why do you think these office layouts keep changing and evolving? It might seem like a simple answer, but this is done to improve employee wellness.
Over the years, studies have constantly shown that a workplace focused on improving employee wellness results in increased employee productivity, morale, and a decreased staff turnover rate. But how can you improve employee wellness through office design? There are a couple of tips and suggestions to point you in the right direction for office design to promote productivity.
Provide Choices
Of course, the work desk is where most of an employee’s work gets done. But it is not the only option they should have. Allowing employees to decide how, where, and when they work will improve employee well-being significantly.
Provide employees or teams working on the same projects with options to work on their own terms. Provide them with space where they can collaborate easily, space where they can be alone so they can concentrate, and provide them with space where they can hold meetings.
This will not only improve an employee’s mental well-being but also their physical health. Having multiple spaces to work and move around in will encourage movement and teamwork among the employees.
Integrate Nature Into The Workplace
Research has shown that adding natural light, fresh air, plants, and greens into the office improves employee wellness, reduces stress, and provides mental clarity. Having plants in the office also improves oxygen levels, which improves productivity and employee mood.
Having a lot of natural light is important to make your employees feel fresh and productive. Just adding light isn’t always the solution; you must utilize the lighting the right way. Not all areas of work require the same amount of lighting, and distinct activity spaces must have different light levels.
Air Quality
The air quality in the office has a huge effect on employee well-being. To improve air quality within the office as much as possible, you should install air filtration systems. Open up a few windows at the office and let the fresh air in. Maintaining healthy humidity levels also improves air quality significantly.
Poor ventilation at the office is also detrimental to workplace wellness. Poor ventilation causes higher carbon dioxide levels which cause discomfort and irritation and also decrease employee attention spans.
Implement a no-smoking policy. If you need to provide an area for employees who smoke, make sure it is away from communal areas and office spaces.
Customizable Workspaces
Don’t just look at an office design that other companies might be having success with and copy-paste it as it is for your office. What works for others might not work for your employees. You need to let employees customize their workspace and let them make it their own.
Different roles also require different types of workspaces. Some require more privacy and quiet time than others. Some roles require workers to communicate and collaborate with each other. Keep all of this in mind when designing your office layout.
Let your employees decide and customize their offices. Some employees might prefer a standing desk instead of a normal one. Some employees love their privacy and prefer working alone. Consider every employee’s needs and design an office that works for everyone.
Comfortable Furniture And Equipment
Sitting in the same spot, on the same chair for hours on end, causes discomfort and sometimes seven injuries. Provide your employees with furniture that is comfortable to improve employee wellness.
Chairs that provide employees with the right posture, desks that can be adjusted to a height that employees are comfortable with, and monitors that don’t strain the eyes will all improve employee wellness and, in turn, increase productivity at the office.
