Member Article

How to increase morale in your work environment

In the adage that your employees can be your fiercest critics or your biggest champions, it is more important than ever that your team is motivated and upbeat in today’s tough business climate.

It is vital your workplace reflects how employees are an integral part of the company - letting staff know they are valued and giving a lasting first impression for clients.

With the Office for National Statistics revealing British productivity per hour is 21 per cent below average for a G7 nation – and CIPD figures highlighting job satisfaction levels are at just 42 per cent – here are some tips on how your office design can boost your bottom line.

Examine your office layout

Many bosses organise staff around job function or by department when it is often more productive for employees to be grouped with colleagues that share the same goals or clients.

If your seating arrangement isn’t working, ask employees how the current design can be improved. Providing an open space with the option of private meeting space can work well.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may also want to consider including interactive elements such as whiteboards, tablets, chalkboards, wall planners and staff incentive charts.

Use the right colours

Human Spaces - which explores the relationship between the built environment and our health and wellbeing - studied 3,600 office workers in eight European countries and concluded that office environment design is key to boosting productivity.

A dark office is unlikely to inspire even the most creative minds and the use of natural wood, stone, white shades and purple are popular choices.

Greens, blues and purples are often associated with being relaxed and inviting, while warmer colours, yellows, oranges and reds are linked with warmth and vision. These colour palettes stimulate creativity without being distracting.

Maximise natural light

The Human Spaces Report identified natural light as employees’ top priority within the workplace. It contributes to productivity and promotes good health and studies reveal that no access to natural light increases the risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

If natural light is limited, look at adding mirrors which help bounce light across a room whilst also creating the illusion of a larger office.

Create green spaces

Creating green spaces within and outside office environments will also enhance effectiveness and wellbeing.

Plants in the workplace are renowned to bring psychological, aesthetic and air quality benefits. Allocating an outdoor area for staff or ensuring access to fresh air is available during working hours is also important.

Lighting and comfort

A study conducted by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment found that applying small changes such as good lighting, or background noise reduction, can limit absence by 15 per cent and increase motivation by 20 per cent.

Allow staff to feel comfortable in their own space by making it their own and keeping it tidy. Providing practical items such as desk organisers and storage space helps to reduce clutter.

The Health and Safety Executive also recommends office temperatures should be at least 16C, with a temperature between 21-22C widely accepted as being comfortable.

In the words of Doug Conant, CEO of Campbell’s Soup: “To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace”. Taking the above small steps could make enormous strides in your efficiency, productivity and profitability.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by VIDA Architecture .