Have you ever worked in a horrible cubicle office space? The strip lights seem to suck your energy away, don’t they? This is an example of a poor office environment. It lowers productivity and dampens morale. On the other hand, there are some offices that pride themselves on productivity.

The Google offices, for example, are known all over the world for their wonderful work spaces. Some have climbing walls while others have breakfast facilities. This might be a step too far for your average startup, but there is something to be learned here. The office environment has a huge effect on your employee’s work ethic. Here are just a few things you can do to help.

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Natural light

Studies have proven that natural light has a powerful effect on productivity. Natural light has provides an organic energy that helps workers keep going. It gives the entire office a warm glow and a burst of energy. It’s a big difference to harsh strip lights or other forms of artificial lighting. These light sources have a negative effect on productivity and energy. Aim to open up your windows and skylights as much as possible. Doing this can even lower your business costs by reducing reliance on energy.

Air conditioning

Keeping the air clean and at a reasonable temperature is key to effective working. A stuffy office will quickly lead to low productivity and drain the energy from your workers. Try upgrading your air conditioning and duct systems throughout the office. Use a Norfab qf pipe to keep the office free of dust too. This will create a healthy, pleasant environment to work in. It’s all about getting the temperature and ambience just right to encourage the best work.

Let employees personalise their space

Google have a famous policy for new employees. They are each given $50 on arrival to personalise their desk. They can then go out and buy whatever they like to make their space their own. Doing this instantly makes employees feel at home. There are lots of benefits to making workers feel comfortable in their own space. They’ll work harder, faster, and more effectively. They’ll enjoy coming to work, and feel a little happier in their surroundings.

Make it fun and comfortable

As well as the working space, you should create comfortable break areas. It’s essential that your employees take regular breaks throughout the day. It helps keep their energy up, and keeps the business ticking over. Provide a fun and comfortable break area to aid this. For example, introduce a ping pong table or comfortable kitchen. It will also encourage your employees to collaborate and communicate better.

Open plan and closed rooms

A lot of modern offices instinctively opt for the open plan layout these days. It’s great for collaboration and spontaneous working. However, not everyone benefits from an open plan space. Make sure you offer some closed rooms for those who need to get on with quiet work. Having a balance creates space for both types of work.
That’s all for now, folks! Don’t forget to check out the other business blogs before you leave.