The office environment is a crucial part of an organization than one would initially believe it to be.
There are a lot of things that a great office environment provides an employee. One of that is that it creates an atmosphere that fosters productivity and creativity. A lot of people might not think of how the office environment can affect employee productivity. But that is because they don’t know exactly where or how it does so.
If you don’t keep up with the maintenance of your office environment, then you are sure to impact employee productivity negatively. This is why, in this article, you will find just how your office environment impacts employee productivity.
Good Lighting
One of the things that you might not think of, but actually has a lot of effect on employee productivity, is the lighting inside the office.
Lighting is especially important if you are in a place that experiences the four different types of seasons. In particular, good lighting is imperative if you experience the winter season wherein the lack of Vitamin D can lead to a poor immune system and a bad mood.
Even if you don’t experience the winter, it still important to invest in a good light.
If you don’t have good lighting, natural light in particular, then your employees will experience gloominess more often. Plus, it’s harder to look or read screens or papers if there is no light, which means that the eyesight will suffer.
Temperature
Another important element of a good office environment that impacts employee productivity is temperature.
It can be hard to balance the temperature since a lot of people have different measures for what is cold and what is hot. However, there is a constant optimum temperature that you should stay in, and this is usually between 18 and 21 Celsius or around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the temperature is too hot for people, then employees will have their tempers raised as much as the temperature. On the other hand, if it’s too cold, then it is harder to move and be productive.
Indoor Air Quality
Another underrated element of the office environment that actually has a strong effect on the productivity of your employees is the quality of air.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to inefficient employees because they will take sick leaves more often, reducing the overall productivity of the entire office.
There are several ways you can improve the indoor air quality in the office. One simple solution is by decorating the office with indoor plants. Even opening the windows or doors sometimes can also help improve indoor air quality.
Clutter-Free Spaces
Keeping your office clutter-free is a challenge if you deal with a lot of paraphernalia during working hours. However, there’s always a way to keep things organized.
Maid Sailors Office Cleaning Service NYC says, “If you don’t learn the value of organizing stuff in the office, you will risk the overall productivity of the employees.” For one, it will be harder for them to focus because of all the clutter around them.
Another way clutter can affect your employee productivity is that it can cause unwanted accidents do happen.
Ergonomic Furniture
Given the fact that your employees are sitting in front of their computer or laptop for hours upon hours at a time, it is important that you invest in ergonomic furniture. That way, it won’t compromise their posture and physical health.
Ergonomic furniture helps your employees be more comfortable with how they work. In fact, office chairs are one of the most important ergonomic furniture that you have to invest in for the sake of your employees’ health.
Modern Technology
If you want your employees to be productive and to create high-quality work, then you should make sure that you provide them with the tools to do so.
Nowadays, there are a lot of apps, devices, and tools that can be of help for a lot of employees. With the right tools at their disposal, employees will be able to give a hundred and ten percent of themselves to their work.
Plus, it’s a lot more motivating to know that what you conceptualize can easily be adopted because of the tools that are available for them.
Wall Color
Another unexpected thing in your office environment that actually has an effect on employee productivity is the colors of the wall.
Even if you think you’re in a very formal industry, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the look and feel of the place to make it more sterile. After all, an office space can still look professional even if you’re using a lively wall color.
You’ll be surprised at how simply changing the wall color can make an aesthetic impact, as well as lift up the mood of your employees.
Relaxation Areas
You have to encourage your employees to take breaks when they need to. Otherwise, they might end up running themselves to the ground.
This is why, in modern workplaces, relaxation areas are a great investment. Relaxation areas are an even more important investment if you are in a high-stress industry.
Employees don’t feel comfortable relaxing on their own desk because they feel like they don’t look productive enough. By providing a relaxation area, you give them permission to relax freely.
Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are good for more than just improving the indoor air quality of your office.
The great thing about indoor plants is that they will also help beautify the space, which will lift up the mood of everyone in the office. Just make sure that you take care of and maintain these plants.
Conclusion
Knowing just how your office environment impacts your employee productivity can help you create wiser decisions about how you maintain your office. It helps you know which specific parts of an office environment have positive influences over the overall well-being of your employees.
Investing in the maintenance of your office environment may not be a priority for you, but you will see you just how impactful it is when you forget to maintain it.
Hopefully, you don’t forget to maintain your office or at least learn how to improve it based on the factors listed above. That way, you can help improve your employees’ productivity.
