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HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY OFFICE ENVIRONMENT?

Unless you work at the likes of Google or Facebook, the word ‘office’ probably won’t fill you with excitement (unless recently refurbished by Whitespace of course). Being indoors under artificial light for up to eight hours a day can be draining even for the most dedicated employees. Yet, numerous studies have revealed that people are happier if they actually like their working environment, so why aren’t business owners doing more about it? Probably because they don’t know where to start…

So, how do you improve your current space? Creating an area that places emphasis on well-being is key!

Believe it or not sitting at a desk all day doesn’t always get the best out of people.  Try having fewer desks than people! This supports activity based working, where staff get to choose their workspace based on the tasks they are undertaking.

Office ergonomics is also important. Provide furniture that is fit for purpose and buy the best you can afford, but don’t just decide on price alone, think about the location and position of workstations. The layout should encourage collaboration and communication, yet allow for privacy if required. By addressing personal requirements you can improve health and well-being and ultimately boost performance.

No-one wants to sit in a cramped space, overlooked by colleagues; effective space planning could give employees room to move around.  The more room they have the happier they are likely to be.

Light directly impacts on people’s comfort levels and working ability, so where possible maximise natural light and position desks near windows.  Not only can the use of natural light reduce utility costs, reports show that it also improves employee health.

Keep things tidy and organised by introducing efficient storage solutions.

Adding new flooring to your workplace regardless of the area can transform the entire look and feel of the space. Although it can be difficult identifying the best one for your needs, start by taking into account the environment in which it will be fitted. Whether it’s the main office area, reception, kitchen or washroom, choosing the right flooring materials that can respond to the everyday use is important.

Many offices are now open plan and although this helps with collaboration it can create additional noise. Persistent background noise can be disruptive and have a major impact on morale and efficiency.  Look at installing acoustic screens, partitions and other sound masking systems such as flooring to help quieten noisy offices.

Maintaining an ambient temperature can also play a significant role in productivity. Studies show that people work best when the temperature is within a range of 20°C – 24°C.

Encourage staff to take a break, yes this may seem like a contradiction, but providing a place for employees to unwind without disturbing the rest of the office, will not only boost morale it could also improve your bottom line.

It’s a fact; people perform better in well designed, pleasant working environments!  So, what are you waiting for?  Contact Whitespace now to see how we can help you improve your office environment…

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