Attracting and keeping top talent involves more than just a good salary. People now expect a workplace that actively supports their ability to do their best work and enhances their overall wellbeing.
The physical and psychological space you provide has a profound impact on how people feel, think and perform every single day. A thoughtfully designed environment is a powerful tool that directly influences your company’s culture and efficiency, and ultimately, its profits. It shapes interactions and creativity and sends a clear message about how much you value your staff.
The impact of office design on productivity
The layout of your office can either drain or boost your team’s energy. Constant interruptions from loud colleagues’ conversations in an open-plan setting can shatter concentration, while poor lighting can cause headaches and fatigue.
To counter this, you can create distinct zones for different types of work, such as quiet pods for focused tasks alongside more dynamic areas for teamwork. You should prioritise access to natural light wherever possible, as it’s proven to improve alertness and mood.
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
A high-pressure atmosphere with no space for respite can quickly lead to stress and burnout.
Your employees’ mental health is intrinsically linked to their surroundings, so you can actively support them by creating quiet breakout areas where people can step away from their desks to decompress.
Incorporating natural elements like plants and encouraging regular breaks can significantly reduce stress levels. Make sure you train your managers to recognise signs of struggle and offer genuine support.
Encouraging collaboration and innovation
Great ideas often emerge from spontaneous conversations, not just scheduled meetings. A rigid, siloed office layout can stifle this organic interaction, but you can foster a more collaborative culture by designing spaces that encourage people to connect.
Think about central coffee points, comfortable communal seating and open areas with whiteboards for brainstorming. Even in private rented office spaces, you can reconfigure furniture to create flexible zones that bring different teams together, sparking new perspectives. Arrange the workspace to facilitate these chance encounters.
Creating a safe and comfortable workspace
Beyond basic health and safety compliance, you must ensure your employees are physically comfortable.
Poor ergonomics, from unsupportive chairs to badly positioned screens, can cause chronic pain and absenteeism. The right temperature and adequate ventilation also play a crucial role in maintaining concentration and comfort throughout the day.
By investing in adjustable ergonomic furniture and asking for feedback on the physical environment, you show your team that you care about their physical health. Consider conducting a professional ergonomic assessment for your workspace.
