The modern office is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to work. Reports show that 1 million US employees miss work each day due to workplace stress. This costs US companies a massive $225.8 billion annually in productivity loss.
Moreover, 80% of employees feel that companies expect too much work from too few people. The result is a massive decline in the productivity and health of workers around the world.
If you’re running your own business or managing a team, it is important to create office environments that promote the health and wellness of your employees and staff. Doing so not only allows you to get the most of their productivity, it also keeps them happy and healthy in the long run. As Richard Branson said: “Take care of your employees and they’ll take care of you!”
How Do I Improve My Office Environment?
A great office environment starts with paying attention to the office itself. Sadly, not many employers pay attention to the work environment. In most offices around America, employees are packed into cubicles with very little natural light and poor ventilation, which results in increased rates of depression, sickness, and stress.
On the other hand, offices with good ventilation and lighting are shown to increase employee productivity by up to 16%, raise job satisfaction by up to 24%, and curb absenteeism. If you don’t have the resources (or the authority) to renovate your office, you can easily move your team to a co-working space. Companies like Common Desk allow teams and individuals to rent an office space perfect for collaboration and conducive to productivity.
That said, while the physical office is a significant part of the office environment, factors like office culture, employee happiness, workload, and the like also play an important role in promoting health and employee wellness.
According to the University of Warwick, employee happiness corresponds to a 12% to 20% increase in productivity, while unhappiness results in a 10% drop in work performance. Furthermore, 67% employees that received constructive feedback reported higher levels of happiness and productivity.
One way to be a better boss or manager is to provide your team with well-thought out feedback. Praise work that needs to be praised and gently correct work that needs improvement. The more in tune your employees are with your standards, the more likely they will deliver the results you’re looking for.
Another important component of a good office environment is having engaged employees. Studies show that fully engaged employees bring up to 28% greater revenue than their disengaged co-workers. What is more, disengaged employees reported 37% more absences, 49% more accidents, and 60% more lapses and errors.
Keep your employees engaged by managing their work hours and giving them enough time off. Offices that reported high levels of work-life balance report higher revenue and lower employee turnover than those with poor work-life balance.
Also, try to foster a work environment that encourages learning. Companies that give their employees additional training and opportunities to learn enjoy a 37% boost in employee productivity.
Need Help?
If you’re looking for an office space that promotes productivity, health, and employee well-being, visit a Common Desk near your area.
