When considering the impact of office design on employee productivity, many employers focus on room layout and process. This may be a good starting point when considering large-scale factory productivity, but good office design demands a more holistic, human-centred approach.
While workflow should of course be taken into account, it’s important to remember that employees need to be healthy, engaged and inspired if the best results are to be achieved.
If you’re wondering how office design affects productivity, start by thinking about the individual’s workspace or desk.
Layout and design of the individual workspace.
Allow workers some ownership of their personal environment. This could be as simple as under-desk pedestals with storage where they can keep personal items.
Perhaps offer a choice of screen or chair colour (within the overall company branding or colour scheme of course). Maybe allow a choice of desk plant for those that enjoy them?
It should go without saying that office furniture should be ergonomic and that staff should be comfortable and safe. Individual desk assessments should be made and chairs and stools designed to support good posture.
It’s helpful to explain the reasons why ergonomics matter too. If people understand the importance of taking frequent movement breaks they will do so. Make sure that there is sufficient space to allow this.
The workplace environment has a huge impact on productivity, mentally and physically, and the same is true of all commercial spaces where people spend long periods of time. It’s well known that a window with a view of greenery improves outcomes for hospital patients and some studies have shown that this effect can even be replicated by simply hanging pictures of trees and green spaces on the walls.
Consider the overall health of your office environment including the following three key points:
1. Temperature:
Is the office temperature constant? Are there hotspots and coldspots? Nobody performs well in a stuffy atmosphere or when they are too cold. There are many physical reasons why people perform best at regulated temperatures and with good ventilation, especially in jobs with limited movement opportunities.
2. Noise:
The curse of the open-plan office, increased noise levels can be extremely distracting. Conversely, an office that is too quiet may make people uncomfortable and even stop them from speaking out or collaborating effectively. Design your office furniture layouts with noise levels and privacy in mind.
3. Lighting:
Harsh lighting doesn’t put people at ease, while lighting that is not bright enough may lead to problems with reading and safe movement through the space. Modern, energy-efficient LED systems allow you to choose the exact intensity of light ‘colour’ and brightness required.
There have been many commercial and scientific studios looking at the relationship between office design and productivity, mostly concluding that better design helps to improve productivity and that employees who have input into the design of their working environment will be more productive. Some even conclude that a productive office design makes employees happier and that happier employees are more productive.
Key elements of office design that help productivity.
When using office design to increase productivity, don’t forget the furniture. As well as considering ergonomics, the right choice of office furniture design and type can also help with productivity. Make sure that desks are large enough for the tasks at hand or use modular office systems for extra flexibility, allowing desks and storage to be easily rearranged or added to as needed.
Thinking about office design and productivity means looking deeper than just ensuring that everyone has ergonomic task chairs and display unit assessments. The best employers will go above and beyond the legal or regulatory minimums to maximise employee engagement.
After all, good employers know that it is cheaper to retain experienced and productive staff than to have a constant turnover of new employees.
In conclusion:
When employees have agency and input into office design and furniture they feel more engaged. And engaged employees are more productive.
When employees can’t concentrate because they are too hot or cold, or they can’t see because of bad lighting, or their backs ache because of poorly designed furniture, they are less productive.
Matching storage systems have twin productivity benefits, they come in a range of shapes and sizes for all needs and they help the overall look of larger offices to remain as a single design concept. This naturally makes people feel more comfortable as the space appears better-designed, larger and clutter free.
Some office furniture incorporates acoustic panels. For example, if the back of a shelving unit that is used as a room divider is made from sound-deadening acoustic panels, the unit will help to absorb sound.
Many employers mandate a clean desk policy for reasons of security and ease of cleaning. Although some employees love a clean desk, others seem to thrive on clutter, even finding it helps with creativity. Help these employees to manage their space by offering personal storage solutions like under desk drawers or desk-side storage.
As well as ergonomic chairs, other office furniture can support good health and ergonomics too by encouraging frequent daily movement through the workspace. Create zones and spaces like breakout areas and informal meeting spaces, all with suitable commercial ergonomic furniture.
