Healthy and vital employees are important, but how do you keep them vital? A large part of their lives takes place at work, and that is precisely where you as an entrepreneur or manager have a lot of influence. A healthily designed building contributes to employees' well-being, and so indirectly to that of the whole company. In this article, four practical tips for designing your office better for vital employees.
Green is the most important colour
Office plants are often promoted as air purifiers. In practice, that effect turns out to be negligible. Researchers at Drexel University calculated that you would need hundreds to a thousand plants per square metre to do as much as a building's ventilation. Drexel University
Even so, plants are well worth it. In three field experiments in offices, researchers found that employees surrounded by plants were more satisfied, could concentrate better and were more productive. Just adding plants to a bare office space increased productivity by 15%. Association for Psychological Science No room for real plants? A beautiful photo of a forest or natural landscape can also bring calm.
Provide fresh air and a pleasant temperature
The air we breathe has a big influence on how we feel. So make sure the office is well ventilated. Make sure the ventilation actually works and is maintained regularly, so that harmful substances are removed and enough fresh air comes in.
Temperature matters too. An analysis of research into temperature and office performance shows that people are most productive at around 22 degrees Celsius. Above 23 to 24 degrees, performance declines. Seppänen et al. Where possible, give employees some influence over the temperature and light at their workstation themselves.
Good lighting remains important
Sitting under harsh fluorescent tubes all day is not good for your vitality and productivity. Sitting in a dark corner all day isn't either. So what is optimal? Daylight, and where that isn't enough, lighting that mimics daylight as closely as possible. So place desks by the windows as much as possible and provide good, non-dazzling lighting.
Comfort for everyone
Besides daylight, fresh air and greenery, people need a comfortable workstation. In many offices you see sit-stand desks, good office chairs and sometimes even kneeling chairs. All intended to improve comfort and ergonomics. People with office jobs often sit in the same place for much of the day, and small aches can quickly become big ones. A comfortable workstation leads to more enjoyment of work and higher productivity.
Talk with your employees and ask what they need to work comfortably. Ask what they think and use that in every improvement.
Vital employees are happier and more satisfied and deliver more results. Reason enough to take a close look at the workstations in your organisation. Do they meet your employees' wishes and needs, or is there still room for improvement?
Also read tips for more vitality at work and engaged with strong legs.
