Insightlink Home

Insightlink
Employee Surveys Blog



How Your Office Environment Impacts Productivity and Performance


Posted by Insightlink on 08/11/17

When we focus on methods by which to improve employee engagement levels, and how to boost productivity, we tend to think about performance management processes such as regular performance discussions and clear personal development objectives. We might also consider benefits such as flexibility and casual dress codes.

All of these elements are critical considerations, but what you might not know is that the physical office environment is just as important when it comes to improving employee performance.

Below are just a few ways in which the space around you — from lighting to temperature — can seriously influence the way you work.

Good lighting can make all the difference

A study conducted by the American Society of Interior Design found that 68% of employees complain about the lighting in their offices. This is something we should be paying far more attention to, considering our sensitivity towards light and the impact it can have on our moods and behaviors.

In the winter, when we experience lower levels of daylight, our vitamin D levels plummet, which can cause depression and weak immune systems, which in turn leads to higher levels of absenteeism. As diurnal creatures, we humans need a lot of exposure to natural light. It keeps us productive and effective, so those of us who spend hours in windowless offices run the risk of developing seasonal affective disorder.

Ensuring your office has a lot of natural light will lead to calmer, more creative, positive employees. Natural light has been proven to be beneficial in terms of health and productivity, so let the sunshine in and keep your employees performing to standard.

Improved air quality can boost performance

It has been proven that poor ventilation air quality in buildings can seriously decrease productivity and morale, which indicates that this is quite a serious performance management consideration. We need a steady supply of oxygen to our brains in order to function and be effective, and the more oxygen we’re exposed to, the better we work.

Research has shown that stale office air makes employees less productive and good air quality can improve cognitive performance by a remarkable 61%, while also reducing the number of headaches. To improve air quality, keep windows open if possible, which will allow good circulation and remove stale air. You can also introduce office plants which will absorb toxins and produce more oxygen. Furthermore, make sure you regularly inspect and clean air ducts.

Reconsider open-plan offices

Incredibly, open-plan offices might be counterintuitive to a productive workplace. They have been found to erode an employee’s sense of psychological privacy, which in turn reduces employee focus and creativity. They have also been linked with lower levels of morale and increased absenteeism. This makes sense when you think about the number of distractions that accompany open-plan offices. All things considered, it would be best for businesses to take on the real-estate costs and upgrade their workspaces in order to enhance performance.

Consider use of color in the office

Interestingly, the choice of color on your walls could make a huge difference to the energy levels and productivity of your employees. A University of Texas study showed that for women, being exposed to white, beige, and gray offices induced depression, while purple and orange offices brought on feelings of sadness for men. Color can also seriously impact our productivity.

The best colors to opt for are low-level wavelength colors such as blue and green, which improve focus and energy. You should also consider yellow — a color which evokes a sense of optimism and energy. Try to avoid red — a high-wavelength color that promotes a sense of panic and alarm.

Art and personal touches

Research conducted Exeter University’s School of Psychology recently discovered that employees who are given freedom to decide the design and layout of their workspaces were happier, healthier, and 32% more productive. This means that a gesture as small as allowing employees to display pictures and decorate their desks with plants can result in more empowered, content employees.

Temperature can distract and impair performance

It has been shown that when office temperatures are too low, employees not only make more errors, but they also get more distracted, resulting in a cost of 20% per hour, per employee. One source suggests that 80% of employees complain about office temperature and that 29% of employees spend between 10 to 30 minutes each working day unproductive due to their discomfort. Most studies reflect the fact that the ideal office temperature ranges between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit if the aim is to improve worker productivity. This temperature range would keep most employees content, and it could save businesses a lot of money eventually.

Access to modern technology

We live in a technological age, and businesses are increasingly using software in order to spur motivation and engage their employees. In such a fast-paced, dynamic environment, old-fashioned paper-and-pen methods are no longer effective. They’re time-consuming and frustrate employees, particularly millennials who grew up alongside technology.

These days, companies are making use of team collaboration software and performance management software to provide real-time feedback, track personal development objectives, and organize one-on-ones with management. Modern software is also making it easier to incorporate remote working into the average business, ensuring everyone remains connected and up to date on pressing issues and progress.

Employee experience is becoming increasingly important, and managers are taking note. We need to be mindful of an employee’s environment, and how it might impact the way they perceive their company and work. By making small tweaks and remaining mindful of our physical surroundings, you have the power to turn good employees’ great and to develop a reputation as a dedicated, conscientious company.

About the Author: Stuart Hearn is an expert in the field of performance management, with over 20 years of experience in HR. He is the founder and CEO of Clear Review — a performance management software system that aims to improve overall company productivity and performance.

About Insightlink:  Insightlink Communications is a leader in full service employee surveys and offers a range of employee survey products and services to fit their client's needs. With over 22 years of experience, Insightlink's reputation has been built on giving organizations the knowledge they need to create effective change using their acclaimed employee research, analytics, benchmarking and survey methodologies. Insightlink's expertise in data collection reporting and analytics takes the pressure off organizations that find data overwhelming and daunting creating reports that are digestible and understandable, simple and easy to understand for organizations of any size and experience level. For more information please contact us at 866-802-8095 ext 705 or visit our website here.

 

comments powered by Disqus



Employee engagement is linked to profits
Employee Survey Demo
Employee Survey Pricing

Where does your company stand on each of the critical "4Cs" of employee engagement and satisfaction?
  • Commitment
  • Culture
  • Communications
  • Compensation
Find out with a benchmarked and validated 4Cs Employee Survey from Insightlink. Since 2001, one of the most trusted research companies in North America.

How many of each do you have?
  • Committed Loyalists
  • Change Seekers
  • Dissatisfied Compromisers
  • Satisfied Opportunists
Only the Insightlink 4Cs Employee Survey can give you the full picture and let you hear how your employees feel about their experience at your organization.

About

Insightlink Communications are experts in employee survey design, data collection and analysis. Since 2001 we've helped companies of all sizes measure and improve their employee satisfaction and engagement.



4Cs Blog Home

4Cs Blog Archives

Recent Posts


The Secret to Keeping Hybrid Teams Aligned and Engaged

Breaking Silos: How Effective Interdepartmental Communication Drives Organizational Success

Adapting to Thrive: Innovative Strategies for Business Owners Facing Change

Why Team Bonding Happens Best Outside the Office: The Value of Company Retreats

Top Strategies to Eliminate Operational Waste in Small Businesses

Favorite Links


Employee Survey
Insightlink's Acclaimed 4Cs Employee Survey

Qualtrics
Advanced Online Survey Platform for Pros

SurveyMonkey
Quick & Easy Online Surveys

Gallup
Home of the Gallup Q12

World at Work

SHRM Blog

Insightlink on SHRM

Engaged Employees Blog

HR ToolKit Guide to Employee Surveys
Good info on how to write surveys.

Insightlink 360
Makes 360 assessment surveys easy.

InsightExit
Online Employee Exit surveys.



HOME
ABOUT
4Cs EMPLOYEE SURVEY
CONTACT
SURVEY DEMO
SERVICES
PRICING
ROI CALCULATOR
CLIENTS
SAMPLES
ARTICLES & GUIDES
FAQs
PRESS
4CS BLOG
PRIVACY
CONFIDENTIALITY
SITEMAP
LINKS

Copyright © Insightlink Communications. All rights reserved.