Employee performance is contingent on excellent workspace design. That’s why companies need to create an environment that perfectly suits their employees’ needs.
From commercial roofing to interior designing, office features play a crucial role in harnessing productivity, encouraging collaboration, and fostering creativity among employees. Here are four commercial improvements that should be incorporated in the workplace to boost employee performance:
Opt for an Open Floor Layout
While commercial buildings should integrate a mix of semi-private and closed workstations, offices should cash in more on open-floor layouts. When there is a reduction of cubicles and wall partitions in the workplace, employees have more space for movement and more opportunity for interaction. An open floor plan encourages collaboration, teamwork, and camaraderie among employees. With fewer physical barriers, there is an improved flow of communication among workers, which translates to increased productivity and enhanced quality of work.
Of course, some tasks require more privacy than others. For employees to fulfill job assignments that need careful thought and concentration, companies should also provide private spaces. However, when fostering a collaborative environment in the workplace, private spaces should not be given to employees as their permanent workstations. Workers should only use closed workstations, such as private rooms and phone booths when handling projects that demand long hours of private rumination. Employees should work in shared spaces to increase their creativity and strengthen their camaraderie.
Pick Out Quality Equipment
Invest in equipment and furniture pieces that are tailored to meet the needs of employees. Office spaces should be outlined with multipurpose furniture to enhance employees’ performance. Swivel chairs, lounge sofas, and office tables are vital components in a conducive working environment. These furniture pieces must possess features that cater to the day-to-day work requirements of workers.
Employees should be equipped with height-adjustable desks that can accommodate both sitting and standing positions. That allows people to move around when working and not put a strain on their lower back. Since they improve blood circulation and provide comfort, height-adjustable tables demonstrate increased productivity among employees. Ergonomic office chairs are also crucial in maintaining employees’ efficiency. A quality office chair corrects sitting posture, minimizing the risk of chronic body pains and other health issues that can slow down their performance. By capitalizing on the right kind of equipment, employees can render better service to their companies.
Set Up Glass Partitions
For office spaces to achieve maximum efficiency, they should make use of glass partitions. Workstations, private rooms, and conference areas should have glass dividers to encourage productivity, accountability, and diligence among employees. Glass partitions prompt workers to be more responsible and more conscious of their actions despite being in closed spaces. Because of the heightened scrutiny provided by glass walls, employees are motivated to perform at their best and avoid idling around during office hours.
Aside from that, glass partitions help build a more interactive and collaborative working space. Since there are fewer physical barriers, there is an open flow of communication among employees. Also, glass walls provide better indoor acoustics and minimize noise pollution in the workplace, which is beneficial during team huddles, board meetings, and task completions. If you want employees to get more work done, these glass partitions are perfect additions to office spaces.
Optimize Lighting Conditions
For employees to carry out their assignments with speed and precision, optimal lighting is vital. Research shows that sufficient amounts of lighting can boost workers’ productivity by 18%. A well-lit environment aids in better focus, creativity, and efficiency, unlike in poorly illuminated workstations. That is because dim lighting can strain the eyes and can cause headaches and migraines. Moreover, poor illumination can contribute to feelings of drowsiness, fatigue, and loss of concentration, making it more difficult for employees to perform their duties.
When choosing lighting fixtures, LED lights are far better choices than fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights have been reported to cause migraine and sleep disturbances. LED lights, however, do not pose harsh side effects on people’s health. That’s why these energy-saving light sources are more conducive to working conditions.
Also, companies should realize the value of maximizing natural lighting in the workplace. Employees who receive sufficient amounts of sunlight demonstrated better performance at work. How is that possible? Daylight fine-tunes the body’s circadian rhythm, which is in charge of maintaining the physiological processes of the body. People feel more alert, energized, and stress-free when regularly exposed to sunlight. Also, studies reveal that natural light can reduce incidents of migraine, drowsiness, eye strain, and blurred vision by 84%. The lack of health problems translates to enhanced employee performance, which is what all companies are aiming for.
Indeed, integrating these elements into office spaces can enhance the working conditions of employees. To achieve success, companies should invest in their people and do everything in their power to build the best possible second home for them.