Chairs, desks, computers and watercoolers are the bread and butter of any office environment. However, plenty of employers are unaware that the quality of office furniture can make huge differences in productivity and employee morale.
Employers will consistently want to receive the best performance from their employees. However, to attain this, comfort and focus must be a priority. Recurrent health issues related to their daily office activities will only cost more in the long run. Poor focus created by uncomfortable environments will fail to provide a significant return on investment.
Whether you need to replace out-of-date chairs or perform a significant office redesign, Synergy Workplace Designers are on hand to help throughout the designing and fitting process. We provide unique office redesign projects on a regular basis, supporting employers in creating a space that nurtures and enhances their workforce. If you are interested in the workplace solutions we have to offer, continue reading for our top hints, or get in touch to learn more.
Around one-third of a day is typically spent in the workplace, depending on your employment status and industry. Working the nine-till-five shift in an office environment will often involve spending the majority of that time sitting at a desk in an environment that isn’t suitably tailored for complete focus or effective collaboration.
The implications this has on workers’ health, well-being and productivity can be detrimental. By supporting employees’ needs, businesses can support the positive well-being of their team whilst receiving their best work.
There are barriers in the workplace that will prevent an employee from reaching their full potential and providing high-quality output. Issues with equipment, training and communication may be the obvious issues, however, the design of an office and its office furniture will also have a significant impact on how engaged an individual will be with their work.
Sitting for extended periods of time is proven to have detrimental effects on our health. It is also considered to have negative impacts on productivity levels. Energy levels are seen to be decreased, preventing creativity and innovation in the workplace
Dust and chemical pollutants are two of the core concerns typically present within poorly ventilated offices. Improving air quality can improve health and safety, as well as productivity.
How we sit plays an important role in the amount of energy we have, how hormones are released and our levels of productivity. Not only are your employees likely to be uncomfortable in unsupportive chairs, but they are likely to take more breaks to adjust their position, offering lowered levels of productivity.
Improving natural light in the office is associated with a variety of benefits. Workers will experience improved mental health with a higher intake of vitamin D. They are also healthier, with fewer headaches and eye strain problems.
Sudden bursts of noise can irritate and distract continually throughout the work day. Employee’s with a task to focus on will struggle to enter a state of flow, preventing them from reaching their most productive output. Without quiet zones for concentration, workplace productivity is reduced.
A standing desk enables employees to adjust the height of their workspace according to their preference. Plenty of products on the market enable users to transform the desk from a typical sitting set-up to a standing desk with the press of a button. Adjusting specifically to their height enables comfort and reduces problems like backache. The numerous benefits for mental and physical health provide strong arguments for its inclusion within the office.
Beyond the increased productivity associated with employee comfort, standing desks are also considered to reduce the time needed off related to health matters. This is because it has been seen to lower the risk of weight gain and obesity due to the calories burnt whilst standing rather than sitting. Studies have also shown that standing whilst working lowers blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of heart disease.
For a happier and healthier workforce, standing desks take up no more space than their traditional alternative and are likely to save costs in the long term by increasing productivity and reducing sick days and employee discomfort.
It’s not only the furniture in your office that determines productivity but also the senses that are engaged by the decor. Colour is one of the most powerful motivators in an office environment when used correctly.
It is widely acknowledged that white is perhaps one of the most counteractive colours for productivity in an office. It has associations with sterile, clinical environments that make employees feel uncomfortable. Offices that choose to keep their environment plain and clear will struggle to engage their employees with positive emotions and increased productivity.
Instead, consider redecorating with colours that ignite passion and creativity. For employers looking to focus their workers, natural tones such as blue and green are known for enhancing productivity. Alternatively, to bring some intensity into the workplace, vibrant and vivid colours like red are known for raising the levels. To bring warmth and optimism, consider incorporating yellow into the design.
When changing the colour scheme, be tactful in your approach. Whilst different colours can offer different psychological and emotional benefits, the design should be aesthetically pleasing rather than distracting or garish.
Much like the standing desk, furniture that improves the comfort of employees is far more likely to produce higher levels of productivity. During the typical working day, an employee may spend around eight hours sitting at their desk. If the furniture and working environment are uncomfortable, a considerable amount of that time will be spent correcting their seat or moving around trying to compensate for aches and pains.
Ergonomic furniture is designed to provide the ideal level of comfort and bodily correction for an individual, regardless of height or weight. The ergonomic office chair is becoming a popular feature in offices across the globe. It ensures the individual maintains a proper posture by supporting the spine, neck and hips reducing uncomfortable pressure.
Other ergonomic solutions include height-adjustable monitors which ensure employees can view their computer screen at the correct height and adjust it according to their activity. There are also ergonomic keyboards which reduce the stretching required to type efficiently.
Creating a productive environment for your team to thrive within doesn’t require a dramatic refurbishment project. However, there are changes you can make ranging from subtle to drastic that will alter the working environment within the office.
To discuss your specific needs with an interior design expert, contact Synergy Workplace Designers. Our portfolio includes impressive office redesigns that have incorporated innovative solutions to inspire creativity, passion, and focus in the workplace.
