How Your Workspace Impacts Worker Well-Being
Modern office design continues to evolve. In the early 2000s, cubicles began to go out of fashion, their demise perhaps hastened by their depiction in Office Space. Open floor plans became the new thing. 2015 brought waves of ping pong and foosball tables to offices around the world, a trend that seemed to emanate from Silicon Valley.
While office trends change, the need to make them a healthy and productive environment never does. Quality workspaces reduce stress and boost productivity. Most workers understand that it’s essential for employers to offer a hospitable work environment and research backs up this viewpoint.
Workers Want Healthier Environments
According to the Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report, an overwhelming majority (87%) of workers would like their current employer to offer healthier workspace benefits, with features such as wellness rooms, company fitness benefits, sit-stand workspaces, healthy lunch options, and ergonomic seating.
The survey also found that employees of newer companies were less likely (34%) to be turned down when asking for in-office benefits, such as sit-stand workstations. 93% of workers in the tech industry said they would stay longer at a company that offered a healthier workspace.
The call for better work environments has led to innovation. One company, ROOM, has developed what is terms the “phone booth”, a sound-proofed, ventilated, powered office area.
The booth gives employees a place to take a video call or work uninterrupted.
Most workers spend almost a third of their lives in the office. With a time commitment that large, it’s no wonder top talent ranks work environment as a top concern. When companies create environments that empower people with a positive space to work, they tend to collaborate naturally.
How to Make Open-Plan Spaces Work
Seventy percent of offices today are open plan, and the open-plan layout can be fantastic. But to be effective, they must be implemented correctly. While employees like the open plan concept, they still need some private rooms to take a call and quiet spaces to work in addition to the comfortable areas that foster collaboration. It’s important to conceive of office spaces with different environments that maximize employee wellbeing.
Many businesses recognize office design as a valuable investment. To get ideas about how to make office design more effective, many look toward the international organization WELL Building Standard, which has established standards that help create productive and comfortable indoor environments.
Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBITM), and certified by Green Business Certification Inc., the WELL Building Standard is the first organization that focuses on human health and wellbeing in the design, construction, and operations of buildings. According to the IWBITM, the most effective workplace designs consider air quality, lighting, views onto nature, and the general layout of the interior.
These factors significantly impact the health, satisfaction, wellbeing, and productivity of workers. The WELL Building Standard establishes seven concepts of building performance: Air, Water, Nourishment, Light, Fitness, Comfort, and Mind.
By embracing these concepts, companies can design office space that attracts and retains talent. In addition, the productivity enhancement these features provide pays for itself. Office design is no longer about lining up cubicles and computer banks. To be competitive, companies need to design their office space for productivity.
Carlton Building Services in Hampton Roads Virginia
Carlton Building Services specializes in medical facility renovation in Hampton Roads Virginia. The company also handles new builds, retail renovation, and commercial space remodeling in Hampton Roads. Our services come highly recommended.
If you need general building contractor services in Hampton Roads, Virginia, contact Carlton Building Services today. We have a wide arrange of past project highlights that you can peruse prior to making a decision.
