SPACE PLANNING & INTERIORS
TOP TIPS TO RE-DESIGN FOR WELLBEING AND PRODUCTIVITY
Chris Lansbury of Crown Workplace Relocations offers advice on how to improve workplace productivity and wellbeing with a bold office re-design.
Moving or redesigning office space can be far more than just a lick of paint and a new start; with the right strategic thinking it can also be an opportunity to make a real difference to a business.
Of course many companies spruce up their environment from time to time and see the instant results as more than enough, de-cluttering and redecorating can have a positive effect on morale and encourage fresh thinking. But with a little more thought there is much more that can be achieved in terms of improving the wellbeing of staff and even increasing productivity.
There is plenty of evidence that improving the wellbeing of staff has huge benefits for business, not least in terms of reducing the number of sick days taken.
Businesses need to take the office environment seriously if they want healthy and productive employees, but the good news is that doesn’t necessarily mean spending huge amounts of money on expensive health schemes and gym memberships. Perhaps the most important factor to take into account is what employees actually want from their office environment. So, the first step should always be research.
Often companies think employees want X and they actually want Y. It makes sense to carry out an internal survey or workshop and not to spend money without consulting first. It’s worth remembering, too, that solutions don’t always come at a high cost; whilst some might want free or subsidised gym memberships, or
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private health care, others simply want free fruit.
There has been a lot of debate over the years about whether an open- plan office is preferable for good productivity, or whether people need to be given their own space. But the real key is to design an office that reflects and suits an individual business.
In more creative offices (in marketing or design businesses for instance) they might not need or want a fixed desk but different areas to work in. Law firms often have large open plan spaces with lots of desks to make the most of each square foot – making that space as profitable as possible.
Again, be innovative and listen to people. meetings are traditionally held in rooms with a desk-height conference table. They don’t need to be; provide tables and chairs outside when the weather is warm or on sofas – be different.
Having an appropriate mix of work zones can aid effectiveness by encouraging collaborative working, whilst providing quiet or concentration zones can make staff more efficient, and don’t forget that providing a safe environment is as important as providing an inspiring one: staff who feel safe work better. Health is about both physical and mental health and wellbeing is about satisfaction and happiness. If employees are healthy and happy with their wellbeing they will be more productive.
The good news is that re-designing an office – whether a business is moving into new premises or revamping and re-imagining its current space – can
SIMPLE TIPS TO CONSIDER:
• Natural light is important: research suggests it aids concentration
• Colour can lift the mood: An inviting office that is modern and fits the brand personality is one that people will enjoy working in.
• Install break-out areas: this gives staff the opportunity to get away from the desk, rest and socialise.
• Bike stores and showers: encourage people to cycle to work.
• Gyms, pool tables and table- tennis tables: this will also promote team building.
• Good nutrition promotes higher levels of concentration.
have significant benefits that go way beyond the expected. Benefits for the wellbeing of staff, benefits for productivity and, yes, benefits for the bottom line too.
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