Business owners spend a considerable amount of funds on trying to make their office the best environment for their workers to work in. What really makes a team of people happy, comfortable and settled in the workplace though? Every employer wants to ensure they have a productive workforce that shows a positive attitude to being at work. Essentially, that comes down to the atmosphere and environment you create, so the practical features employees want in their workspace is important and the layout of your workspace plays a huge part in this process.
Functional desks and chairs
Your employees will spend most of their working day sitting at their desks. This is why it’s so crucial to choose the right office furniture and set it up properly. Well maintained and well structured office furniture encourages employees to work better by enjoying their working environment in comfort. Chairs that are fully functional, fully adaptable and able to offer every worker comfortable and safe office seating are a must, as are desks which adapt to height and specific needs. Not only will this show your staff that you care about their wellbeing, it will also reduce the real possibility of your staff developing musculoskeletal pain and other health ailments which will lead to absences from work.
Refreshment Facilities
Refreshments came up high on the list of practical features employees wanted in their workspace. You may be using the kettle for your hot drinks run, but there is a better solution. Having access to high quality workplace refreshments will show your workforce that you care for their wellbeing. You only have to look at the popularity of the coffee shop to see how much we value a premium hot drink. Installing vending equipment in your workplace will leave a grand impression on your staff and clients, with beverages enhanced using fresh coffee beans and fresh milk. It can create a much needed short break from staring at a computer screen, and can create a social and bonding atmosphere for colleagues.
Natural Light
Access to natural light is the number one attribute workers want in their office environment and natural light has been proven to have a huge effect on well-being, which will in turn have an impact on productivity, morale and staff turnover. However, the benefits of natural lighting go beyond the preferences of office workers. In fact, natural lighting in an office environment has scientifically-proven benefits. A recent study showed workers exposed to natural light experienced an 84 percent drop in issues such as headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. Because those symptoms can lead to increased fatigue, workers exposed to less natural light were more susceptible to other health issues.
Embrace Technology
As the speed of change accelerates with technology, it has revolutionised almost every aspect of business life. From the way people manage their work, to the way they network, technology has changed the way we interact with colleagues, and other businesses. In the past, networking used to take place only in person. Today, people have the ability to connect with likeminded individuals around the world, through technology and social media channels. This aspect opens up a whole new way of working and interacting and ease of work has dramatically improved, making our working day less stressful and more sociable.
Meeting Spaces
At times we will all need some degree of privacy and some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of a busy office space, whether this is to hold private meetings, or to concentrate on a specific task. You don’t need a large space to achieve this so most offices should have sufficient room to allow for a small room closed off from the main production areas. If space is at a premium, movable glass partitions are a great way to create temporary private spaces for meetings, discussions and work that requires privacy.
For further advice on how Office Furniture 2 Go can assist in offering practical features that employees want in their workspace, please contact us here.