If you’re a business owner or team leader, you’ll know that happy employees are the most productive employees. To increase company profits, it’s essential that staff are invested in and that their development and job satisfaction are taken seriously. The most successful businesses are those with a high employee retention rate, because staff feel committed and loyal and want to keep working for those particular companies. However, the office environment is occasionally overlooked as a factor that significantly contributes to how productive your staff are overall.
Natural Light
Psychology Today recommends natural light in the workplace as something that vastly improves office performance. Sunlight contains Vitamin D which is crucial for good health and expose to natural light during working hours has been found to improve the quality and amount of sleep that employees get at night. Your office should have plenty of windows, and you may wish to consider having lights fitted with daylight sensors, so that your staff receive the full benefit of the daylight hours. This can also save your business money on energy bills. During the dark winter months, it’s definitely worth considering investing in ‘sunlight lamps’ that provide the same benefit as being outside in the sun and are used to relieve the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Why should staff productivity suffer just because it’s dark outside?
Food and Drink
Even slight dehydration of between 3 and 5 percent can cause energy levels to drop up to 25 percent.
It is therefore very important to ensure that staff have constant access to drinking water, and the facilities for making tea and coffee, such as an office coffee machines and/or electric tea pot.
. In the workplace, it’s often much easier to grab a packet of crisps or bar of chocolate instead of a nutritious snack, but healthy snacks are better for your blood sugar levels and your concentration. Giving staff access to a supply of fresh and dried fruit, nuts and cereal bars is an excellent way of boosting productivity.
Office Furniture
Of course, it’s not always appropriate to work from a sofa or armchair, but there’s much to be said for investing in comfortable and supportive office furniture. If employees are spending long hours in front of the computer, this can be a recipe for back problems. Office chairs should be supportive and allow employees to sit upright without hunching over their screens. If employees are uncomfortable or in pain, they definitely won’t be as efficient as is required.
To find out more about improving employee productivity, contact a specialist service that offers analysis and training in this area, like Cornerstone OnDemand.