We all know that the environment in which someone works can greatly affect their productivity and work output, so it’s imperative that as an employer, you are able to provide a comfortable place for everyone to perform at their best.
If you’re unsure how to do that, here are some tips that you can implement in your office.
Provide them with enough space
First and foremost, you need to ensure everyone has ample room. For those wondering ‘how much office space do I need per employee?’, the answer is nice and easy to remember – around 100 square feet. This might sound like a lot, but it also includes communal space such as break out areas. We know that office real estate can come at a cost, but it’s better to have too much than too little.
The last thing you want is for your employees to feel as though they’re cramped and like they don’t have enough space. If desks overlap and people find it tricky to keep their stuff in one space, it could be highly distracting and even lead to tension. That’s not to mention that some people simply don’t work very well when they’re in close proximity to others.
With this in mind, try and avoid purchasing small desks. Employees don’t need tons of desk space, but there should be enough for them to have two screens, space to move their mouse comfortably, and room to keep their cup of coffee well out the way of technical equipment.
Create a dedicated break space
In addition to workspace, you also need to lend some thought to break space. Many employees feel fidgety and irritated when they are couped up at their desk staring at the same screen all day, so it’s a good idea to help them relax by creating a dedicated break out area. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but there should be enough room for everyone to kick back and relax at lunch time.
Choose ergonomic office equipment
When choosing things like desks and chairs, don’t just go for the cheapest option or the designs that reflect your office aesthetic, you need to prioritize the comfort of your employees. This means choosing ergonomic equipment that offers adequate physical support.
Ergonomic equipment can be more expensive than basic equipment, but in the case of your employees, you should make this a main priority. Things like backaches can cause lasting health problems with employees, and this can increase the number of sick days. Not only is this harmful to health, but it’s not good from a business perspective, either.
Offer refreshments throughout the day
Being comfortable boils down to more than space and furniture – you need to factor in wellbeing, too. This means providing the bare minimum such as refreshments. You don’t need to fork out to feed everyone lunch everyday, but providing things like tea, coffee, fruit, yoghurts, granola bars, and treats like chocolate bars, can make all the difference to how your employees feel.
Some might have forgotten to pick up their lunch box one day, whilst others might not have had any fruit in the house to bring into work for their midmorning snack. If you have a few options on offer, there’s plenty for people to get stuck into and to give them food for brainpower.
It also shows that you care about their wellbeing and are prepared to offer them more than just a place to work.
Summary
Hopefully you find these tips helpful when trying to make your employees more comfortable at work.
