How To Increase Employee Well-Being In Your Office Space
Today’s modern workplace takes employee well-being into account far more than it ever did, and there are inherent benefits to such an approach. The better the mental health of an employee, the more happy and productive they are. It’s a win/win for both, and that can lead to talent retention, new talent acquisition, and of course, a better bottom line at the end of the year.
However, turning your workplace into a cushy space may not always be the best approach. The changes need to be practical in order to motivate employees to maintain their level of productivity, with more enthusiasm. Therefore, it’s good to put a few techniques into practice in order to maximize employee well-being, and daily work output at the same time.
FIND YOUR FLOOR
No, this doesn’t mean figuring out your limits and working within them. It’s far more literal. The actual flooring material of your office can have a remarkable effect on employee well-being, and in some cases, physical health as well. Traditional carpeting is now being done away with in large swathes in order to reduce the amount of dust and allergens that can accumulate in the fibers. Hardwood flooring, concrete and luxury tiling have become more popular.
Not only are these materials easier to clean and maintain, but they also tend to be more rugged and durable over time. They also lend an air of sophistication and vibrancy to a workspace by insinuating a pursuit of quality and contemporary design aesthetics. Find the right floor material for your office, and you may end up wowing your employees in more ways than one.
TRANSPARENT DIVIDERS
The open office concept has always had its pros and cons, but one of the biggest advantages was a sense of togetherness and camaraderie missing in traditional office layouts of the past. The more employees can see and interact with one another, the greater the sense of teamwork and communal spirit. However, all that openness has led to some drawbacks, particularly when it comes to minimizing distractions.
The solutions are transparent dividers, whether they are used to separate employees at desks and workstations, or glass office panels in place of solid walls. These are great for conference rooms and other meeting areas where employees need to focus and avoid auditory distractions, while still feeling the bustle and energy of the work floor. Once again, connection to other team members is the theme, and employees tend to have greater well-being when they aren’t being isolated away from one another.
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE
Biophilic design is a big part of modern office design philosophy, with things like natural lighting and the use of green a big part of the equation. Adapting it to the interior of the office is tricky, however. For instance, large open windows that allow sunlight to pour through are fantastic for employee well-being, but they can also raise the temperature considerably, forcing companies to shell out more money on cooling costs. Thankfully, architectural shading and glare-reducing materials can tamp down the interior heat, while still allowing that sense of nature to shine through.
The same goes for green implementation, such as potted plants, indoor trees and moss walls. A lot of these things require maintenance, but when set up correctly, they can introduce huge bursts of nature within the office interior, which has been proven to revitalize and invigorate mood and well-being. All it takes is a bit of planning and forethought.
DECORATIVE CEILINGS
For centuries, the ceiling has either been an overlooked utilitarian part of the overall building structure, or a canvas to make beautiful art. Modern workspaces involve looking at it from both fronts in an attempt to blend functionality with style. Decorative ceiling materials can liven up any workspace, and create a true sense of depth and atmosphere. It’s not just about the good looks, however.
Decorative ceiling materials can also prioritize sound absorption and reduction, which can lead to less distractions and overall office noise. The less auditory impact an office has, the more relaxed and positive employees can feel. Decorative ceilings are a way of solving two problems at once, and when paired carefully with strong interior design elements, they can create a unique and engaging work environment.
FLUIDITY WHEN WORKING
Employees report feeling their best and most productive when they have a say in where they can work. This isn’t a plug for remote work from home, but rather, the value of fluidity when working at the office itself. Employees who can pick up their laptop and move to another part of the office can feel much more productive thanks to a simple change of scenery.
This means thinking ahead and planning out various areas of the workplace that can be used by different people at different times. Even the break room and the lunch room can be used to take the stress away, allowing workers to find quieter nooks to focus on important work, or simply to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main work floor and realign their senses. Being stuck at the same desk all day long never did anyone any good, which is why fluid workspaces have become so incredibly popular.
CONCLUSION
Redesigning an office to take all the above into account isn’t easy, which is why we suggest working with a professional office design firm to handle the makeover. Sensyst always remains at the forefront of the most stylish and functional trends and design philosophies in the business, and we understand how to implement a custom-tailored approach to every single client we work with.
Give us a call today, and we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to turn your workplace into an amazing place where employees feel their best, and deliver their best, day in and day out!