It is common knowledge that a happy employee is a more productive employee. From an employer’s point of view, this has a myriad of benefits, including the potential for more sales, and increased profits. From an employee’s point of view, this means better enjoyment at work, more motivation, a better state of mind when it comes to anything work-related, and overall increased happiness.
There really is no downside for anyone, when it comes to a happy employment situation!
So, how do you create that sense of enjoyment and motivation at work? There are many links between the physical work environment and job performance. Of course, job performance is linked to feeling appreciated at work, having opportunities for growth, feeling listened to, having a wide range of tasks to complete, and basically feeling supported in the job at hand. Having said that, a suitable and comfortable physical working environment is also key to performance and satisfaction at work, which in turn leads to better profits for the boss!
A popular study into this subject, called the Gensler Workplace Index, highlighted this issue perhaps more than any other. The study identified specific areas which every workplace should have, in order for employees to feel supported, motivated, and basically happier. These areas were:
- Areas to focus
- Areas to collaborate
- Areas to learn
- Areas to socialise
It was felt that if a workplace had all of these areas within it, then that would be the ideal physical environment for employees to perform better in their job overall.
So, how can employees create that space? It’s all about office interior design in many ways, and thinking outside the box. There are many mediums which allow you to create the ideal space, and many London office furniture choices, which will allow the various different sections mentioned above to be factored into any workplace.
Let’s break it down and explore how each of these sections relates to workplace performance, and how you can create them.
Areas to focus
Certain tasks require a larger amount of quiet concentration than others. This means staff need a place to go where they’re not going to be disrupted, where they can concentrate without extra noise, and somewhere they can really sit and get the job done. In a regular office, there is always background noise, whether there is a conscious effort to keep it to a lower level or not. This hum in the background can be enough to put someone off when they’re trying to deal with an in-depth task, such as proofreading, or something numerical.
So, how can you create a space for total focus? Quiet zones are ideal for this. This is a separate space from the main office where staff can go to work on these types of tasks. There may be cubicles installed, screens, maybe even soundproofing from the rest of the workplace, but it is somewhere that is always quiet, and a place where noise is absent. Make sure the office furniture is comfortable, so think about sofas and perhaps mesh office chairs, to create a total sense of concentration.
Having this space will lower stress levels amongst your staff, as they’re not going to feel pressured and upset when they can’t concentrate on a task. This will ensure the task is completed to a higher level.
Areas to Collaborate
On the flipside, some tasks require collaboration and discussion. If you do this in the regular office space, you’re going to create more noise for those staff who aren’t part of the discussion, or perhaps those who are trying to focus. This is where office zoning comes in. A collaborative zone is ideal for this type of work, so it could be a separate room, with office tables for brainstorming and big sash windows that let in plenty of natural light, or it could be a section in an open plan office, which is to the back of the room, away from the quieter areas.
Being able to collaborate and discuss work ensures that ideas are shared, and that again, the work gets done to the best possible level.
Areas to Learn
One of the biggest bugbears for any member of staff is a lack of progression opportunities. Feeling stuck in work is not something which is going to motivate anyone, so having a space where staff can learn, perhaps find out about new opportunities, and arm themselves with new knowledge in their industry, is a vital part of increasing job performance. You can incorporate this into your physical working environment by having a learning zone.
Again, this can be a separate room, it can be a library, or it can be a part of the office which has regularly updated news and industry-specific information posted within it. You could have large boards on the walls with all of this on, or you could have a learning suite, with desks and computers, and internet access.
Areas to Socialise
Finally, an area for staff to socialise and have a break from work is vital. This ensures that regular breaks are taken, the mind can be recharged, and it can ironically also be a place of collaborative working, as ideas are passed around during break times! It is important that you allow your staff to relax during their lunch breaks, and having a comfortable spot to go to will ensure this happens. How about installing a games room, to give them a brain break? A good quality cafe, for that morning coffee fix? It’s about allowing your staff to refresh their minds and bodies, and to keep motivation high.
The link between the physical work environment and performance is a very real one, and clever office space planning can achieve those positive results. A happy employee is a better performing employee, and is likely to be someone who wants to work for you, who wants you to achieve greatness, because that greatness is passed onto them too.
Make sure your workplace is somewhere your staff want to go to every weekday, rather than something they have no choice in.