Its important to ensure that your business is doing all it can to establish a positive and productive office environment
Dissatisfied workers cost businesses in the UK millions of Pounds annually as a result of sick leave, mistakes, time off, and a general lack of productivity. Employers who don’t take time to focus on their workforce and improve the workplace environment suffer the consequences.
This is why its important to ensure that your business is doing all it can to establish a positive and productive office environment. Giving employees a reason to enjoy attending work and putting in the extra time will help your business reap the benefits.
A healthy workplace is the result of both physical and intangible elements that inspire productivity and creativity. Here are four ways you can incorporate these elements and improve your office environment.
Upgrade The Office
Flickering light bulbs, overflowing paper bins, coffee cups accumulating on the table surrounded by spilled sugar, chairs as old as time itself… it’s a fairly common site in most offices. But it is by no means an acceptable one. Another area that often needs an update is the bathroom. Searching for ‘bathroom partitions near me‘ you are bound to find a good selection of partitions to refresh your bathroom and give it a new look. Having a clean, modern and ergonomic office not only makes your employees happy, but will also significantly increase productivity levels.
Install ergonomic office chairs or even better, standing desks. Make sure to bring in as much natural light as possible, along with some plants to soak it all up while filtering the air. Provide quality refreshments and snacks while ensuring that the snack area is as clean as possible as well.
Staff will notice the change and appreciate the fact that you’re taking time to consider their needs and wellbeing.
Host Team Building Events
Not everyone will kick it off on a high note with their fellow employees, especially during the first few weeks when everyone is still getting acquainted. Chances are you’ll have a few workers who may feel uncomfortable in their new workplace due to the unfamiliar surroundings and people.
This is why getting everyone together and building their confidence among each other is important. It’s easy to find specialized team learning and development exercises from providers in prominent cities such as London, where there are a lot of different businesses. Your employees can participate in these different events and exercises to help build morale and improve performance at work.
Allow Employees to Add a Personal Touch to Their Workspace
This is especially applicable to staff who spend time behind a desk in their own office environment. Getting the basics down such as an ergonomic chair, keyboard, mouse and monitor should be a prerequisite for every workspace. But allowing employees to add their own possessions usually goes without consideration.
Employees will feel a lot more comfortable if they’re free to bring their own family photos, office equipment, desk lamps and plants along to work with them. It also instills a sense of pride that extends to the quality of their output.
Of course, standard hygiene and personal space rules should still be maintained. The last thing you want is another employee complaining about the foul smell permeating from the cubicle next door as a result of the owner’s pet rat.
Introduce Fun Weekly Activities
A standard office setting without any scheduled extracurricular activities probably has its employees looking forward to one thing: the weekend. This is no way to operate. Your staff will feel a lot more motivated if there are events to look forward to.
Host the occasional table football, darts, or ping-pong tournament. Prop up a calendar with everyone’s birthday and have a set celebration with free cake and refreshments. Set up a monthly gaming competition with rewards for the champion.
These types of events can all take place within the office and will likely come at little to no cost to your business while bringing everyone together.
Its clear that improving your workplace is not an extremely difficult task. As a matter of fact, its one of the best investments your business can make as the benefits are endless.
