Many employees spend eight hours of each workday at the same location. This space sets the tone for the entire day, so employers must design the office in a way that promotes productivity and creative thinking while encouraging teamwork and collaboration. Every detail of the space impacts everyone who works there. How can an office create an efficient work environment that employees love?
When designing an office, multiple elements must be considered. In addition to the overall workspace, the employer must consider how individual desks are set up. The company culture plays a role in the office design process, as do other elements that impact the well-being of all employees. Consider the following when designing any workplace.
Lighting Considerations
Employees need adequate light to see what they are doing. The right illumination promotes concentration while improving the mood of employees. If there isn’t enough light in the workplace, employees may struggle with headaches, fatigue, and more.
Allow natural light to provide much of this illumination when possible, and ensure there are plenty of lights to compensate for dark, gloomy days and late nights at work. Use natural light bulbs or a light therapy device and watch productivity increase.
Noise Levels
Many work spaces are open with high ceilings. While there are benefits associated with this type of layout, noise levels can quickly become overwhelming. Consider incorporating sound dampening devices into the overall design process. This minimizes echoing in the workplace and ensures noises won’t travel as far. However, any employer will find bringing noise levels down will increase productivity.
Conversations in a workplace may carry from a conference room to individual cubicles, disrupting employees in the process. Walk into an office at lunchtime and pay attention to the noise levels. A noisy environment such as this reduces productivity, so sound dampening devices should be considered by every employer.
Organized Spaces
Employees need to have the tools they use regularly easily accessible. When employees must search for items, they become less productive. Consider this when purchasing office furniture and ensure any pieces purchased promote organized work spaces. Choose desks that have cubbyholes or drawers for various needs.
Have a space where employees can store their electronic devices while working so they don’t become a distraction. Screen Education reports workers spend more than two hours a day on their phones while at work. Remove these devices during the workday and watch productivity rise immediately.
Ergonomic Seating
It’s very frustrating when a person cannot get comfortable. They find themselves moving about regularly, trying to find the right seating position or a spot that is comfortable at their desk. Eliminate this problem and the accompanying distractions by investing in ergonomic seating. No worker wants to listen to the person next to them shifting positions continuously. This furniture stops that from happening.
While this may not be an issue in a warehouse where people spend most of the day on their feet, it is extremely important for businesses where people spend several hours daily at a desk. Ergonomic seating is only one type of furnishing that must be chosen with the worker in mind. One-size-fits-all furnishings reduce productivity, so they should be avoided whenever possible.
These are only a few of many ways an employer can alter the workplace environment to increase productivity, collaboration, and more. Begin making small changes today to see major improvements in little time. With each change that is made, the business will see significant benefits.
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