Did you know that British employees lose an average of up to 70 working days a year due to low productivity? This equates to the loss of 2.2 billion working days per year. In this article we look at Work Environment Changes to Increase Wellbeing.
Government research has found that the higher the level of employee welfare, the higher the level of performance and productivity in the workplace.
Happier employees can lead to increased profits and production quality. When workers feel valued, benefit from development opportunities and enjoy greater autonomy, they are more likely to perform.
These areas should be part of your long term strategy for business growth. However, there are a number of ways to improve the work environment for your employees to promote health and productivity.
Table of Contents
Easy to Access Coffee Making
The UK economy could save £ 42.7 billion if every worker had access to a coffee machine all day. Studies have shown that employees who drink coffee directly in the office are 24 minutes more productive a day than those who do not.
However, that’s not true when coffee wakes you up. In fact, it blocks the brain chemical that makes you feel lethargic and drowsy.
Drink a cup of coffee when you first wake up and when your energy starts to run out in the afternoon. This can prevent drowsiness from setting in and allow you to last longer.
Having a Dedicated Break Room Improves Employee Wellness
A common misconception is that sticking to your desk between the hours of 9am to 5pm for the average working day helps improve productivity.
In fact, failing to take rest breaks, or partaking in a working lunch by eating in front of your computer, can be counterproductive when it comes to professional success.
Although you may think that staying at your desk all day and working will make you more efficient, you are wrong.
MIT research shows that employees who spend time talking to colleagues and leaving their desks are more efficient than employees who don’t.
Move and modify visual stimuli to revive your brain. It can make your ideas more creative and help you stay focused.
Movement on a regular basis and regular rest are also vital to employee happiness and satisfaction.
Taking Lunch Breaks Away From the Desk Should be Encouraged
Along similar lines, it has also become a popular lunch spot at your desk. Eating a midday sandwich has become the norm for many office workers who want to make a good impression on their superiors.
However, research shows that it is imperative to step away from the computer screen and get outside. It can increase your level of concentration. Studies have shown that people who take regular 15- or 20-minute breaks during the day have even higher levels of concentration.
It’s about giving your employees time to decompress, process their ideas, and give their eyes a break. In doing so, you may see better quality work produced in a shorter time frame.
Pay Attention to Lighting
A relatively quick and inexpensive way to improve the office environment is to use the right lighting.
When the light level is low in winter, our vitamin D intake will plummet. This effect can be devastating. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression and weaken the immune system of employees.
This can obviously have an impact on employees’ attendance rates and their ability to perform their job duties efficiently and effectively.
If the nature of your employees’ work keeps them indoors all day, it is vital that they have access to natural light. Use SAD lamps to supplement the lack of windows, which can compensate for the lack of sunlight.
Also, insufficient light can lead to eye fatigue. Make sure the workstation is effectively illuminated and the screen is glare-free.
The right lighting will calm your employees, increase positivity, and facilitate creativity.
Wrapping Up
Opportunities for growth and making sure your employees feel appreciated and rewarding them for good work are all important to a happy and productive workforce.
However, you can also make a few small changes to your work environment to encourage positive well-being. This will therefore increase productivity levels and possibly improve school attendance.
Encourage adequate physical and mental rest at work, provide coffee, and invest in adequate lighting. You may find that your profits and the quality of your production will increase significantly over time.
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