DESIGNING WORKSPACES TO BOOST EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
Many questions have been arising from climatic conditions and work efficiency in the corporate world. There are several instances where the work conditions of a company are held responsible for employees productivity and staff’s perception of the company.
For employees to be productive, a workplace is influenced by many factors like the colours used, interior designs, architecture, the temperature of the room, utilization of natural illumination have a key part to take.
Productive working environment
By using advanced technology and making the most of remote portable devices, employees can choose how and where to work; this makes them’ smart professionals’ who absolutely know how well to increase productivity.
Top-level management reported increased productivity, enhanced morale and increased sense of purpose among staff who are able to choose their own workplace. Allowing a worker the ability to be’ agile’ makes an employee more performance-driven and interested in their job.
In order to fully promote work efficiency, employers must give their workers a wide range of workspace solutions, flexible knock-out zones, seating areas and the flexibility to use mobile devices both inside and outside the workplace.
Influence of Colour
Historically, workplaces have been furnished in neutral palettes, intended to reduce disruption and allow office workers to focus on the task at hand. Now, we are completely familiar with the effect that certain colours can have an impact on the occupants relating to space, and we are more likely to customize our preferences appropriately.
Studies show that people respond well to environments coloured in shades of blue, while green is seen as an uplifting, soothing colour due to its connection with nature and the outdoors. Depending on the amount of natural light in the building, other seasonal colours such as brown, khaki and shades of yellow also fit well. Yellow, along with red, is a bright, optimistic colour that produces a warm atmosphere in the open spaces, canteens and bathrooms.
Other research shows that red is a competitive colour in offices where attention to detail is important and that black and white are efficient for an elegant, distinctive look.
Room Temperature
It is also understood how hot or cold an environment is to make a difference in the performance of an employee. Different studies have concluded that the optimum temperatures for staffs range from 23 ° C to 25 ° C.
The temperature of the office can depend on a variety of factors from the time of year and on the type of air conditioning installed in the design and ergonomics of the workspace. It is worth monitoring and analyzing how the workplace performs in terms of air circulation and how advantageous it is to maintain an optimum temperature, as most people can’t stand being either too hot or too cold, and efficiency has been shown to decline as temperatures increase or decrease significantly.
Utilizing natural lighting
While overhead lighting can induce nausea, eye strain and migraine, there is a strong correlation between the amount of natural light in the workplace and the productivity of employees.
The recommended ratio of artificial light to natural light in the workplace is 1:5, as specified in European legislation; sunlight is great for vision and promotes a healthy immune system.
Studies show that higher productivity is the result of an improved amount of natural light. Staff in offices are exposed to a greater amount of natural light have been shown to experience a higher level of satisfaction at their jobs, due to the diversity and enjoyment of the view from the window.
Summing it up
The option of convenient, functional seats and desk configurations enables staff to sit comfortably and work at their highest level of performance. Low-level furniture is favoured in many new workplaces as it promotes a free flow of ideas and eliminates remnants of the traditional hierarchy, where the manager is separate from the rest of the staff.