Nine Ways to Make Your Office Your Employees' Second Home
If
you want your employees to feel at home in the office and treat each other with
respect, you will need to create an atmosphere that will help you increase
collaboration and improve collaboration. From the decor of the office to
allowing them to personalize their workspace, and listen to music - if
appropriate -, there are proven ways of creating an open and friendly
space in your office where your workers will feel happy. Below you will find a
few tips on how to turn your boring office into a stunning collaborative space.
1. Allow them to Stay Comfortable
It is important that you listen
to your individual employees’ needs and requests. Those who suffer with lower
back pain could benefit from standing desks, even if they are only available on
the “hot desk” basis. They will feel better working on the computer, and love
the change of perspective, while protecting their health. If you have
handicapped employees, make sure that they get the support they need. Visually
impaired workers might need an extra software installed on their computer to do
their job well. Create a workspace
assessment
regularly to make sure the desks and chairs are adjusted correctly.
2. Adequate Breakout Areas
If you don’t let your employees
relax and chill when they are stressed out, or need time off, your office
productivity will suffer. You should create a breakout area where they can
withdraw when they need to have a chat with their supervisor, or need to take
time off the computer. You can help your workers connect with each other better
and build stronger relationships if you give them the opportunity to socialize
during breaks and lunch hours.
3. Let Them Control the Light
One of the reasons some employees
are unhappy with their workspace arrangements is because they don’t get enough
natural light, or they indeed get too much, and they are distracted by the
reflection on their computer screen. If you install clever shades or blinds,
you can make sure everyone is happy with the amount of light coming in through
the windows, and protect the vision of everyone in the office. Check out http://www.commercialblinds.co.uk/ to find out more about your shading
options. Just as you want to get the temperature right in the office, you need
to pay attention to shading, as well.
4. Let Them Take Their Pets
If you allow your employees to
take their pets to work on certain days, they will be more likely to feel at
home. A pet
friendly workplace can
improve the mood in the office, reduce stress, and create a friendlier
atmosphere. If you would like to introduce this on a trial basis, you might
want to create a pet area where the four-legged friends can chill out in the
day, and wait for their owners’ break when they can go for a walk around the
office block.
5. Get Them Plants
If you are not keen on pets
running around the office, but still want to give your employees something to
look forward to every day, you can gift them small plants that they can place
on their desk. This will help them focus more, and green is known for calming
people down. Even if they don’t feel like coming to the office, they might
remember that their cactus needs watering this week. If you want to nurture the
competitive spirit in the office, you might want to let your workers compete on
whose plant grows more or is greener.
6. Coffee Machines
Office and coffee breaks come
hand in hand. Some of your office workers might be used to having their regular
caffeine boost during the day, and if there are no bars or coffee shops around,
you might want to invest in a coffee machine for the office. You can let your
employees work out how to fund the coffee; either by contributions, or someone
else bringing in milk, ground coffee, and sugar every week. By not having to
settle for the instant coffee or the one that comes out of the vending machine,
they can enjoy a good brew just like at home.
7. Kitchenette
In case your office is in a
remote location, you should be thinking about creating some basic kitchen
facilities for your employees to warm up their lunch or get their instant soup ready. They will
appreciate your effort, and spend more time talking to each other, connecting
with their colleagues, and feeling more at home than having to go to the
canteen or the local pub for lunch.
8. Flexible Working
Employees with parental or care
responsibilities will appreciate flexible working. If your business model
allows this, offer them the choice of hours, and let them pop out during the
day to check on an elderly relative or get their shopping done. From a shorter
lunch break and earlier finish or later start to a split shift for part time
workers, there are several ways you can show your appreciation and make them
feel like they are a part of the family.
9. Perks and More Perks
Image via thenextweb.com
No matter which facilities
you set up in the office, you will need to consider your employees’ priorities. Whether they
would like a gaming area or a bike rack, you need to find out. Get one of your
managers to set up an employee team to discuss the options and come up with a
proposal for workplace changes that will make them feel better about working
for you.
Keeping all employees at the
office is close to impossible. Making sure that they feel safe, comfortable,
and relaxed, and they can get rid of their stress whenever they need to is
simple if you listen to their feedback. Ask them for suggestions, and consider
the location of your commercial building, your existing facilities, as well as
their background and priorities. Small things like being able to have a fresh
coffee at the office or nipping out to check on an elderly relative can make a
lot of difference for your office workers.
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