It’s said that 70% of employees are actively disengaged.
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to make sure your employees get their motivation back.
Not only will feeling engaged at work make your employees better workers, but it will also help increase your revenue.
One way in which you can keep employees happy is by redesigning the office.
Does your office need a redesign? Or are you starting from scratch in a new office? Learn how to create the best office layout where actual work can get done here!
1. Ask Employees What They Want
Who will be spending time in the office? Your employees! So ask them what they want to see.
It’s been shown that when an employee has input into their surroundings, they display better information processing and management.
Of course, you can’t implement every suggestion your employees have but have them all sit down in a meeting where you can come up with realistic ideas.
2. What Type of Work Are You Doing?
Do your employees need quiet at all times in order to concentrate, or would bouncing ideas back and forth be more useful?
By focusing on the types of tasks your employees are doing, you can figure out how to arrange their desks.
For example, in a newsroom, people are constantly talking and rushing to meet deadlines. A newsroom has clusters of tables so those who need to be in conversation don’t need to get up but can talk across their desks.
Alternatively, if your employees need silence, then provide a separate area where people can go to chat. This way, the main office space can remain quiet.
If you have space, it’s also a good idea to provide “quiet rooms” which are sound-proofed but unassigned.
3. Encourage Employees to Stretch and Move
It’s been shown that six in ten office workers don’t exercise. So, encourage your employees to get moving in the office.
It may sound counter-productive to pull employees away from their desks, but exercise will actually result in a better worker.
This is because exercise reduces stress and anxiety, improves self-esteem, and increases energy. An afternoon broken up by a quick run on the office folding treadmill goes from being sluggish to productive.
4. Think About the Ergonomics
Sitting is now considered to be as bad for our health as smoking. If your employees are having to sit for long hours every day, then at least ensure they’re sitting right.
You can improve the ergonomics of your office space by choosing computer screens which are at eye level. Also, consider buying chairs that support a worker’s entire body.
Alternatively, standing desks are cheap nowadays too and will get workers up and on their feet for a few hours.
By improving the ergonomics of your office, you’ll improve the efficiency of your workers.
However, if you’re not familiar with how to get the best ergonomics for your employees, consider hiring a professional to help you out. See more here.
5. Create a Sense of Pride
To feel motivated in our work, we need to feel a sense of pride in it. Why are your employees coming in to work every day? Remind them!
You can do this by showing them what all their hard work has achieved. Consider posting “THANK YOU” notes from clients on the wall or pictures of your employees with local residents who appreciate the work you do.
Figure out exactly what it is that inspires your employees and incorporate this into your office design. Perhaps its motivational quotes on the walls or free yoga at lunchtimes.
6. Recharge in Comfort
When your employees are feeling stressed, where can they turn? Have a dedicated area of the office where your employees can relax.
This space should include comfortable seating. It should not face the workspace, but perhaps out of a window.
Make this a no-tech zone. This way, employees can sit and think or chat. This is an important part of the process and may result in their work being better too.
7. Bring in the Natural Light
Just like plants, humans need natural light. Not only does it help us sleep better at night, but it also helps ward off depression and anxiety.
Did you know, fluorescent lights can make us feel stressed? If you’re in the process of finding an office space, make sure it has large windows.
If your office’s natural light is limited, try opening up the space. Bring desks closer to the light source, implement mirrors which help open up space, and use glass walls instead of opaque alternatives.
8. Keep the Temperature Comfortable
While bringing in natural light is a great thing, the sun can also heat up an office very quickly.
If your employees are sat next to a glass window, they will likely get too hot, even during the winter.
Make sure you invest in a good climate control option. All employees have different preferences for the temperature of a space.
Look into providing each employee with their own way of keeping themselves cool or warm. This could involve personal fans or available blankets.
9. Say Goodbye to Cubicles and Hello to Plants
It’s no secret that cubicles make workers miserable. So, say goodbye to the cubicle and open up the workspace.
Another tip is to set up desks so that employees aren’t looking at each other’s backs or screens.
Finally, bring in some nature. Forest bathing is popular in Japan because it helps clear the mind. As your employee can’t get to nature, bring it to them.
Plants have been shown to improve our sense of well-being. They’re also great for those with allergies as they reduce dust in the air.
Let your employees choose their preferred plant and make sure they know how to look after them too. This can provide a small sense of purpose at work.
The Best Office Layout is a Thoughtful Office Layout
Once the office layout has been decided, ask your employees regularly how it can be improved.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have the best office layout. But, you do need to consider your employee’s opinions.
Agree with this sentiment? Share this article on social media to find out how others are laying out their offices.