If you’re running a business, working conditions should be a vital consideration. Along with hiring the right people and effective communication, keeping your staff happy is one of the key factors driving your overall company performance.
In an office environment, this can come down to just a few additions – and your own attention to the needs of your staff. Whether you’re just starting out or moving to new premises, it’s always worth knowing how to optimise your office for your employees.
Why are working conditions important?
Providing comfortable and ergonomic working conditions is a necessity for any successful business. The office environment heavily influences the drive, mood, performance, and confidence of your employees. The more comfortable your staff feel, the more likely they’ll be to succeed and progress under your leadership.
How can I make my employees more comfortable?
- Ergonomics
Considered that your employees will be likely to spend most of their working day behind a desk, it’s up to you to make that experience as comfortable as possible.
The most essential part of this is providing excellent quality ergonomic chairs. Kiting out your office with these might be expensive, but the decision should serve as an investment in your colleagues’ health.
Furthermore, try to make sure that your staff have the appropriate computer setups too. For tasks requiring a lot of referencing, a dual monitor setup could significantly impact your employees’ productivity and performance too.
- Good air quality
Next, ensuring excellent air quality is also one of your responsibilities. Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate to harmful levels. Without the right preventative steps, anyone could be exposed to substances that aggravate the lungs while at work.
Poor ventilation is associated with a range of health implications including damp air, which can contribute to the growth of toxic mould spores within the building. If you can, try to install air purifiers such as these to improve the air quality in your workplace, keeping contaminants at bay.
- Heating and air conditioning
The temperature of the workplace is vital for ensuring comfort and productivity. In the middle of winter, for example, you’ll need a reliable central heating system to keep your employees warm.
According to the Approved Code of Practice, regulations suggest that the minimum temperature for working indoors should be at least 16°C. In the height of summer, on the other hand, employees must be kept cool enough.
While there’s no maximum temperature for working, employers need to stick to health and safety laws. These include providing fresh air and keeping the temperature at a comfortable level. The best way to achieve this is by installing professional air conditioning units.
- Relaxation areas
Lastly, you should also try to make space for your employees to relax, recharge, and take a few minutes away from the desks.
These could be areas for socialising – with equipment like table tennis tables, darts, or computer games – or they could be quiet areas aimed more for quiet reflection. Furthermore, this area could provide vital privacy for those unexpected phone calls or difficult days.
Conclusion
Improving the office environment for your employees should make the workplace more inviting. Along with being able to feel comfortable, employees will appreciate dedicated spaces for focus, collaboration, and relaxing with their colleagues too.
