As per Wrike’s 2019 US stress statistics, 94% of American workers report experiencing workplace stress. This statistic is worrying, given that a stressful work environment can reduce productivity and satisfaction levels, which is bad for business. It is prudent to explore as many ways as possible to create a comfortable working environment in which employees can function effectively. If you wish to learn more about improving your physical office environment, take a look at the points below.
Invest in ergonomic and comfortable furniture
Multiple research proves that office furniture affects employee productivity significantly. Consequently, consider investing in ergonomic furniture designed to reduce discomfort to make your workplace more comfortable. Office chairs are an excellent place to start since a reported 8 in 10 office workers spend between four to nine hours daily sitting at their desks. Thankfully, you can purchase numerous task chairs with great customizable features like seat depth, lumbar support, and armrest adjustments to improve employees’ posture. In addition, invest in a quality office desk to ensure that workers are comfortable at work. Finally, consider purchasing your office furniture after organizing an ergonomics risk assessment and evaluation so you can ensure that each employee’s furniture pieces suit them best. For instance, some workers may prefer furniture that offers them the option of alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day. In contrast, others may choose a particular chair that won’t worsen a back injury.
Go paperless
Paper in the workplace leads to piles of documents and reports that clutter desks and create a chaotic work environment. Also, the time spent filing, organizing, and searching for physical copies could be spent on more productive tasks. Therefore, consider going paperless to create a clutter-free workplace that decreases stress, improves concentration, and saves time. Besides, going paperless is a great way to make your office environmentally friendly. Less paper use means fewer trees have to be cut down, translating to reduced greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Illuminate the workspace properly
It is common knowledge that lighting has a significant effect on mood. Gloomy spaces can dampen the mood and even affect productivity, so proper illumination is key to improving the office environment. Thankfully, there are many ways to brighten up your workplace to make it a more comfortable space. For example, let in as much natural light as possible by opening the blinds. Research published by Eco-Business indicates that sunlight in workplaces can improve productivity and sales between 5% to 40%. Additionally, you can invest in LED lights to illuminate your workplace at night and during other periods where enjoying natural light is impossible.
Reduce noise levels
Noise is one of the significant sources of discomfort in many workplaces. It can distract employees and stress them out quickly, affecting their overall output levels. Therefore, encourage your staff to put their phones on silent to avoid distracting others. Also, suggest that staff conversations happen in the meeting or lunchroom instead of over a working colleague’s cubicle. Additionally, you can use carpets and rugs to reduce noise since these materials excel at absorbing ambient sounds.
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