Photo by Nastuh Abootalebi on Unsplash
There are many aspects that make an office a great place to work in; however, there are some factors that can be overlooked in favour of bigger factors such as the right tech software, equipment and even aesthetics.
In fact, the basics of an office design can actually help you improve workplace culture and productivity to benefit your business more than you might realise.
A Proper Break Room
You need a room for people to actually take a break away from their desk and the hustle and bustle of an office. You need a break room that has a door that can close to give them separation. A table, chair or decent seating and enough space to relax away from the office activities before heading back to their desks.
On top of this, things like a kettle, fridge, microwave, etc. all help to make people feel more comfortable and encourage taking proper breaks during the working day.
Reliable Internet and Equipment
Nothing is more frustrating than a laptop that takes 5 minutes to boot up or a connection that keeps dropping mid call. These small delays will add up over the day, especially if you have numerous employees dealing with the same problems.
You need to make sure you’re keeping equipment updated and that your internet speed is sufficient for the work you do and the number of people using it at any one time.
Make sure you run regular checks on your hardware and internet and act on any concerns quickly so you can improve productivity, functionality, and boost employee morale too.
Clean Drinking Water on Tap
Staying hydrated throughout the working day helps you improve how efficient your employees are. Dehydration leads to fatigue, poor concentration, and headaches. And relying on staff to remember that a steady stream of drinks on hand isn’t always feasible.
Having a water dispenser in the office placed centrally and in an easily accessible place means people can stop by regularly and top up to help them avoid going without if they forget to bring a drink in from home or if they run out before usual on hotter days, for example.
Comfortable Seating Throughout
It doesn’t matter where you have people sitting; you need comfortable seating for everyone, be it staff or visitors. You need to make sure that all office chairs are ergonomically designed for comfort so those sitting at the desk for prolonged periods do not succumb to the common ailments associated with being sedentary. Poor seating contributes to back pain, restlessness, and a general drop in comfort that impacts a person’s ability to work comfortably and productivity during a working day.
You also need to make sure that all seats are appropriate to any desk they’re being used with. It’s not always good enough to have a comfortable seat that helps reduce strain when sitting. It needs to match the user and the desk they’re working from too. Adjustable chairs are beneficial, as are using footrests alongside them and seat cushions and back supports where applicable too.
